First National Korean Women’s Conference celebrates leadership and calling
The inaugural Korean Women's Conference brought together lay and ordained women leaders from around the country
June 4, 2025
by Rev Myung Hwa Park, Chair of the Korean National Conference
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church’s declaration as a multicultural church, an ongoing journey of embracing diversity as a gift and strength.
Among the many culturally and linguistically diverse communities within the UCA is the Korean community, with over 8,000 members and more than 70 ordained ministers serving both Korean-speaking and English-speaking congregations across the country.
In a significant and historic moment, the first National Korean Women’s Conference was held at United Theological College. Fifteen ordained ministers and eleven lay leaders from the Synods of NSW/ACT, Victoria/Tasmania, and Queensland gathered with the support of Rev Dr Peter Walker and Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll.
At the Conference, the 26 participants reflected deeply on their journeys as Korean women in ministry within the UCA. The conference was a time of affirmation, renewal, and mutual encouragement, celebrating their identity, leadership, and calling as women, as mothers, and as Korean leaders in the Multicultural Uniting Church.
The participants expressed a strong desire to continue this journey together, with plans for future Korean women’s gatherings already underway. There is also hope that other CALD women in the Uniting Church will be inspired to convene their own gatherings, leading toward a broader intercultural or national women’s conference in the years ahead.
This inaugural Korean Women’s Conference was a small but significant step, a powerful act of recognition and affirmation. It reflects the richness of our church’s multicultural identity and the deep wisdom that emerges when diverse voices are heard, valued, and celebrated.
"This inaugural Korean Women’s Conference was a small but significant step, a powerful act of recognition and affirmation."
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.
Greeting brought to the gathering by Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli, speaking from Perth
More news from the Assembly
A Lenten Invitation from the President
by Rev Charissa Suli, President Uniting Church in Australia Beloved Church, The Lenten season is not about giving up chocolate. It is not about surviving forty days without coffee. If that is all we do, we have missed the invitation. We begin this season in a world that feels tense and fragile. There…
Fairness, not just Growth, is the key to Productivity
Fairness, not just growth, is the key to productivity As the Federal Government sharpens its focus on productivity, President Rev Charissa Suli contends that it must be grounded in fairness, justice and human dignity to truly strengthen Australia’s economySubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia…
A Reflection on the 5th Global Peace Summit
From Bangkok to a New Calling Attending the 5th Global Peace Summit in Bangkok last month, Emelia Haskey discovered that peacebuilding is deeply personal – and that justice begins within our own circle of influence. by Emelia Haskey, Global Peace Ambassador The opportunity to attend the 5th Global Peace Summit at the United Nations…
Uniting and Lutheran Churches hold first Dialogue meeting of 2026
Uniting and Lutheran Churches meet for Dialogue 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. Statement following LCA-UCA Dialogue meeting on Wednesday 11 February 2026 The Uniting Church, as a part of its commitment to…
Repairers of the Breach, Bearers of the Light: President reflection
Repairers of the Breach, Bearers of the Light: President Reflections on her Ormond Uniting Church visit Rev Charissa Suli attended Ormond Uniting in Melbourne’s south-east to celebrate the dedication and reopening of their church bulding after a long and trying journeyby Rev Charissa Suli, President, Uniting Church in Australia I continue to reflect on my…
Calling for nominations: Women of the Uniting Church
Calling for nominations: Celebrating women of the Uniting Church Help us honour the remarkable women of the Uniting Church this International Women’s Day Celebrating Uniting Church Women for International Women’s Day 2026 Every day, in every place across the Uniting Church, women are leading, empowering and inspiring in our church communities and beyond. To mark…
Focusing our Shared Life on Local Communities Responding to God’s Call
Focusing our Shared Life on Local Communities Responding to God’s Call The Assembly’s new CGRA held its first meeting of 2026 last week, where they explored governance and resourcing reforms to better support local communities responding faithfully and sustainably to God’s call in mission. by Dr Paul Minty, Executive Officer of the Commission…
Assembly's new strategy for 2026–31: Third Strategic Goal explained
The 2026-31 Strategy: Third Strategic Goal explained In this third article on the Assembly’s 2026–31 Strategy, Andrew Johnson reflects on Liberating Justice – renewing the Church’s long-held commitment to confronting injustice through faithful witness, collective action and hope-filled engagement in Australia and the world by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary This year, the National…