President takes to the airwaves
Rev Charissa Suli recently featured on ABC radio, where she shared of her journey to Uniting Church President, and offered insight on women of faith and lasting hope for a broken world
June 18, 2025
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
UCA President Rev Charissa Suli recently featured on ABC Radio National’s God Forbid program, hosted by James Carleton.
In this compelling interview, she shared her personal journey from a teenage mum once shunned by society and her church to becoming the first woman of colour to lead the Uniting Church in Australia.
With honesty and humility, Rev Suli reflected on facing cultural and theological barriers, navigating faith and motherhood, and leading a Church that embraced inclusivity, justice and spiritual authenticity.
Throughout the interview, she called for a Christian faith that welcomed people as they were – particularly young people who were seeking meaning and belonging in a world of brokenness.
Rev Suli stressed that spiritual depth and social relevance had to go hand in hand, and challenged churches to create space for honest conversations, adapt to changing contexts and uplift migrant communities shaping the Church’s future. Her leadership was rooted not in exclusion or easy answers, but in listening, grace and hope.
More news from the Assembly
A confident nation does not fear diversity - President's statement on immigration policty
7 October, 2026 Immigration policy sits at the core of who we are as a country, and the kind of Australia we want to be. This week’s Coalition policy announcement advocating significantly reduced net overseas migration is deeply concerning because of its implications for our cultural diversity and our identity as a nation. As Australians…
Three years on: A message and prayer for peace
Three years on: A message and prayer for peace Image: Church of the Ascension, seen from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Photo by Albin Hillert/WCC A pastoral message from Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, on the third anniversary of the 7 October attacks in Israel…
Uniting Church urges Australia to stand with Pacific on fossil fuels
Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to turn Australia’s commitment to its Pacific neighbours into action by backing a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels. Rev Suli is among 80 senior Australian faith leaders who have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to support a…
Kulini… Are you listening?
Kulini… Are you listening?Northern Synod gathers for four days of worship, deep listening and discernment By Micheal ZewdieThe 48th Northern Synod brought members of the Uniting Church together in Darwin for four days of worship, conversation, discernment and celebration, with the invitation “Kulini… are you listening?” providing a thread through the gathering.“The invitation at the heart…
Faith, culture and hope celebrated as Fijian National Conference concludes
More than 700 people celebrated four joyful days of worship, learning, fellowship and faith as the 2026 UCA Fijian National Conference drew to a close in Fremantle/Walyalup. Bringing together Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church, the Conference strengthened relationships, created space to share stories and celebrated the faith, culture and gifts Fijian communities bring…
'Resilience is no longer enough': Pacific churches issue powerful call for climate justice
Pacific Church leaders have issued an urgent and deeply faith-filled call for climate justice, declaring that communities on the frontline of climate change need more than praise for their resilience. They need justice and decisive action. Gathering in Nadi, Fiji, for an Ecumenical Service marking the beginning of Pre-COP31, Pacific faith leaders brought the lived…
700 Fijian voices unite for climate justice in Fremantle
More than 700 members of the Uniting Church’s Fijian National Conference have joined their voices in a powerful call for climate justice from Fremantle. At the conclusion of the four-day conference, delegates unfurled a huge“Climate Justice Now” banner, standing in solidarity with Pacific churches and communities and calling on Australia to listen to Pacific leadership…
Faith, culture and hope fill Fremantle with the Fijian National Conference
Fijian communities from across the Uniting Church gathered in Fremantle/Walyalup for the 2026 Uniting Church in Australia Fijian National Conference, celebrating faith, culture, fellowship and hope. The Conference opened on Thursday evening with a Welcome to Country from Rev Mitchell Garlett of UAICC WA, followed by worship led by Rev William Lucas. Rev Dr Paul…