The United Church of Christ elected its first female general minister and president on Monday at its 34th General Synod in Indianapolis. The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson’s election also makes her the first woman of African descent to lead the mainline denomination. “Today, United Church of Christ, we created a first together. It won’t be the last first,” Thompson said. Delegates overwhelmingly approved Thompson’s nomination to a four-year term by a 626 to 43 vote. “It’s not just me — there are others who came before me — and perhaps this is the right time for the denomination,” Thompson told media, referring to two women who had previously been nominated for the lead role.