The United Church of Christ (UCC) met for its 2023 General Synod in Indianapolis from June 30 to July 4. The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson was elected as the denomination’s general minister and president, making her not only the first woman, but the first Black woman, to hold the title in the UCC’s history. Previously, Thompson was both director of Global Ministries and our colleague as an ecumenical and interreligious officer for the UCC.

The synod also passed a resolution that sanctions an investigation of the UCC’s involvement in “boarding schools for Native Hawaiians and Native American nations.” In addition to the investigation, the resolution also mandates reparative action in light of findings.