(This is the prayer Stephen M. Veazey gave 1 June in ordaining Stassi D. Cramm) 

Eternal God of grace and peace, in this sacred moment, in the loving presence of disciples representing the worldwide church, we ordain Stassi D. Cramm as prophet-president for Community of Christ. 

We recognize the historic nature and potential of this ordination. As this ordination occurs, we are mindful of all the women who blessed your people throughout history with their faith, giftedness, nurture, and sacrifices. 

We acknowledge that with the feminine in ministry and leadership, our experience of divine nature is more authentic and complete. While Stassi is called in her own right as a gifted organizational and spiritual leader, we anticipate that through her ministry as prophet-president additional aspects of your eternal being and ways of relating to us will be seen more clearly. 

Through Stassi’s prophetic voice of hope and concern, energize us to pursue the church’s mission more fully in our physically fragile, chaotic, and conflicted world.

Sustaining God, you have called and inspired many prophets across the ages. Therefore, we have confidence that you will uphold, guide, and bless this prophet of today. May Stassi find strength, inspiration, and hope in your unyielding presence. Also, bless her family members as they journey with her. 

Generous God, Stassi has a strong faith, keen mind, and determination to always move forward despite any obstacles. She emphasizes shared leadership and community discernment of divine vision. Beyond these apparent qualities, may she summon us to dive with her into the deep waters of divine mystery, perplexing faith questions, and what is not yet fully evident, but already emerging in the church’s future. 

Through Stassi’s prophetic voice of hope and concern, energize us to pursue the church’s mission more fully in our physically fragile, chaotic, and conflicted world. As a result, may passion for your loving, just, and peaceful reign on Earth become central in our lives as it was for Jesus Christ, who lived a holistic vision of shalom for impoverished, ostracized, and wounded people. May Stassi’s witness of gospel imperatives motivate us to respond fully to our simple, yet profound call to be like Jesus. 

May her witness of spiritual insight and hope in action embolden us to take faithful steps forward as our remarkable journey as Community of Christ continues.

Hidden and revealing God, you are beyond definition or description. You are not fully contained or explained in any human belief, language, or culture. Yet, through our church heritage, expectant faith, and shared experience, we also know you are self-revealing when, where, and how you choose to be. 

As Stassi encounters you, however that might occur, may she express the meaning of her experiences in ways that will awaken the prophetic in all of us. May her witness of spiritual insight and hope in action embolden us to take faithful steps forward as our remarkable journey as Community of Christ continues. 

Lastly, knowing the burdens of the prophetic office, I pray that you will frequently shepherd Stassi to quiet places of rest, prayerful reflection, and renewal. May inner peace, Christ’s peace, abide with her as she embraces this call. In Christ’s name. Amen.