UCC minister for racial justice to lead ecumenical, interfaith relation

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

UCC minister for racial justice to lead ecumenical, interfaith relations

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> February 1, 2011

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Minister for Racial Justice in UCC 
Justice and Witness Ministries for the past two years, has been named 
the church's Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

"Rev. Thompson comes to this position with a wealth of experience 
in the wider church setting, having served on the Florida Conference 
staff and here in the national setting as Minister for Racial 
Justice," said the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, UCC General Minister and 
President, in announcing the appointment Jan. 28.

Thompson says she is "challengingly excited" about the opportunity, 
assessing it as a natural extension of her work. "In terms of the 
work that I've been doing with our ecumenical partners and the World 
Council of Churches, I'll be continuing that in a different capacity.

"Racial justice is something that the ecumenical community continues 
to struggle with," said Thompson, "even as we talk about the unity of 
the church and how to function collaboratively. I'm looking forward 
to connecting some different dots."

Peter Makari, search committee member and UCC area executive for the 
Middle East and Europe, said, "Karen will represent the UCC well, 
given her experience in the conference and national settings, and her 
work in a variety of ecumenical witness."

Thompson will assume her new position March 1.

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