‘Not the church of 1957’: Special Meeting of Synod elects new AGM, looks toward future of the UCC

For the first time in the United Church of Christ’s nearly 70-year history, a Special Meeting of the General Synod was called to elect the Associate General Minister, Love of Church. The virtual gathering, which was also an opportunity for fellowship and worship, took place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 and marked both a historical and pivotal time in the denomination’s history and future. 

Election of a new AGM

The only item on the agenda for Saturday’s Special Meeting was to elect the Associate General Minister (AGM), Love of Church to an unexpired term, filling a key role within the UCC that had been vacant since December 2023. The Rev. Jennifer Sowell, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with more than two decades of pastoral leadership experience, was elected to serve as the next AGM, concluding a process that yielded two separate search committees, the first one being unsuccessful in identifying a candidate. 

Sowell’s election marked another significant first in the denomination’s history, as all three elected officers of the church are women. Sowell was confirmed on Saturday with 87% of delegates voting to affirm her appointment, exceeding the required 60%, per the UCC Bylaws.

“I had faith the UCC would get here, but it’s an added blessing to be part of the team,” said Sowell upon the vote confirming her election. “I am looking forward to building new relationships with my colleagues all over the country, and listening to their hopes, needs and dreams for the United Church of Christ.” 

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, UCC’s General Minister and President/CEO thanked the nearly 700 voting delegates for their work on Saturday, and reminded them of the history they just witnessed. 

“Once again, you’ve stepped out and taken a risk and perhaps you didn’t know it,” said Thompson. “In the moment of calling Rev. Jennifer Sowell to serve in this position, for the first time in our denomination’s 69-year history, we have all female leadership.”

In addition to Thompson and Sowell, the Rev. Shari Prestemon serves as Associate General Minister/Co-Executive of Global Ministries, the Rev. Jasmine Quinerly serves as UCC Board chair, and Jean Avison and Susan Cartmell serve as the General Synod Moderator and Assistant Moderator, respectively.

“Local churches and local church pastors are looking to the national setting for encouragement and resources to provide vitality,” said the Rev. Cean James, chair of the search committee that identified Sowell as its nominee. “Rev. Sowell is an innovative pastor who specializes in providing imaginative energy to local churches.” 

Sowell is preparing to relocate to Cleveland, and is scheduled to begin her service at the National Ministries on August 16. 

Co-partnership with God

As typical with a General Synod, the virtual gathering began with a time for worship and song. The meeting opened with the song, “Rooted and Grounded in Love,” by Amanda Udis-Kessler, which was produced for the 33rd General Synod back in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada offered the theological reflection, offering his prayers in good wishes for the UCC as it dealt with not only the election of Sowell, but in the tumultuous times playing out across the United States. 

“We gather as lovers in a dangerous time. We gather in a world that is plagued by the poly-crisis of Christian nationalism, militarism, war, the earth being in crisis,” said Blair. “We gather at a time where it is not so easy to live into the fullness of who God has called us to be and do.” 

Blair’s reflection focused on the theme for General Synod 35, “Into the Deep,” which comes from Luke’s fifth chapter where Jesus invited both Simon and Peter to go into the deep waters — and to discipleship. Blair said that in order for the disciples to get to where they needed to be, they had to let go of the techniques and ideas they were used to. He challenged General Synod to do the same. 

“God is calling us to be co-partners with Him, and that co-partnership doesn’t have any clear techniques,” said Blair. “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principlities and powers that would rob life and move people into a place of despair and discouragement.” 

“The challenges before you won’t be responded to by the old techniques that we have,” said Blair. “The challenges that are before us require us to be empowered by the Spirit of God.” 

‘Not the church of 1957’ 

Before delegates cast their votes, Thompson addressed Synod in a special “State of the Church” speech, where she focused her remarks on challenging the negative narratives that plague the church, as well as what it means to be the church in a modern context.

“We are not the church of 1957,” said Thompson, referring to the year the UCC was formed following the mergers of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. “There is a sense of urgency to equip our churches with attention to the variety of ways in which the local church exists and manifests itself in our communities.” 

Thompson says that although the religious landscape is challenging, the church has the power to reshape and reclaim the narrative and focus on the many good things coming from local congregations. 

“We get to change the narratives of decline by talking about the ministry and mission of the local church, and its place in bringing the Gospel, as we live the love of God in action,” said Thompson. “This is a journey into the deep. As we share the ways in which the Spirit of God is moving in us and around us, as well as a time that is shaping us spiritually. Our spiritual practices will make the difference.” 

The meeting wrapped with Thompson giving a closing blessing, charging those in attendance to help carry the mission and vision of the UCC forward. 

The full Special Meeting of the 35th General Synod can be viewed in the video below: 

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