 Photo courtesy of Community of Christ The 2025 World Conference opened on Saturday morning with the traditional procession of the Eagle Feather Staff by representatives of First Nations tribes, honouring Indigenous peoples of North America. Here are the highlights of the first three days of the conference. Leadership Transition and Historic Ordination In the first legislative session, Steve Veazey officially opened the Conference. The session included the final report from the First Presidency. Scott Murphy reflected on 24 years of full-time ministry and offered gratitude for the global church. Veazey shared that he had served the church full-time for over 40 years and thanked his wife, Cathi, and colleagues. Stassi D. Cramm, then serving as counselor and prophet–president designate, encouraged delegates to be “open to the spirit of hope and mutual calling.” Following the formal dissolution of the First Presidency, the Council of Twelve Apostles assumed leadership. Council President Mareva Arnaud Tchong then presented the call of Stassi D. Cramm for consideration by the Conference. The Council unanimously supported her call, and Cramm accepted: “We are equipped and ready to go. I will walk alongside you.” During the first legislative session, Canadian delegate Joan Thompson spoke in favour of the new Standing Rules for the 2025 World Conference from the remote site in Kitchener, Ontario. On Saturday evening, the Conference gathered to honour Steve Veazey’s retirement. Veazey said, “My heart is overflowing,” and prayed that the church would remain open to the Spirit’s guidance. On Sunday, delegates affirmed the call of Stassi Cramm as Prophet–President, the first woman in this role in the church’s history. The motion passed by overwhelming majority. The day concluded with the ordination of Stassi Cramm. A 35-voice African choir opened the service. Former President Veazey and President of the Council Mareva Arnaud Tchong led the sacrament of ordination, joined by a diverse group representing the worldwide church. At 7:54 p.m. local time, Veazey declared: “We ordain Stassi D. Cramm.” The crowd stood in sustained applause. Following the ordination, Cramm read her Letter of Counsel with new leadership appointments. The service concluded with hymns, a pastoral prayer by Jane Gardner, and a final anthem sung with nearly the entire Auditorium on their feet.  Photo courtesy of Community of Christ Calgary Congregation Statement on Nonviolence Adopted On Monday, delegates overwhelmingly adopted the Statement on Nonviolence, concluding six years of prayer, conversation, and discernment. The statement affirms nonviolence as a faithful response to the gospel and is available on page 64 of the Program & Legislation book. CEM’s Resolution G-3 Ruled Out of Order Acting as chair during the day’s first legislative item, President Stassi Cramm ruled Resolution G-3—regarding the stewardship of the Temple and Auditorium and the principle of Common Consent—out of order. The resolution had been presented by members of the Canada East Mission Centre. Cramm explained that the proposal conflicted with church bylaws and legal requirements, while also acknowledging the call for greater transparency. Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon noted that maintaining the Temple Complex in Independence, Missouri, which includes both the Temple and the Auditorium, costs approximately $2.5 million per year. Letter of Counsel and Ordinations Delegates affirmed the Letter of Counsel from President Cramm, approving new leadership roles:
In the evening ordination service, Chibwe and Grover were ordained as counselors to the president, and Arnaud Tchong as presiding evangelist. The Temple Sanctuary was filled with global music, prayer, and celebration.  Other Highlights
Earlier in the day, delegates approved Resolution D-2a, updating the church’s budget and audit processes. The resolution makes financial information publicly available and reduces the size of the World Church Finance Board from 55 to 43 members. Two additional nominations were received from the floor, with elections to follow. Several leaders offered parting reflections, including Jane Gardner, David Nii, Robin Linkhart, David Anderson, and Shandra Newcom, who shared gratitude, testimony, and song as they concluded their service. As of Monday morning, 2,080 people were registered for Conference. Online attendance peaked with 3,163 viewers for Sunday’s Communion and 2,934 for President Cramm’s ordination. Monday also happened to be President Cramm’s birthday. World Conference Hub Find schedule, legislation, bulletins, and ways to connect online to worship services and key legislative sessions.
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