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
Position available: National Manager - Media and Communications
The Uniting Church in Australia is seeking a highly skilled National Manager, Media and Communications to manage implantation the strategy for media and communications. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of a national faith-based organisation, enabling leadership across governance, pastoral presence, and public representation.Subscribe to our newsletterIf…
UCA active and visible at WCRC General Council
UCA delegation renewed to perservere in their witness After playing a prominent role at the WCRC’s General Council, the UCA delegation heads home renewed and uplifted by the shared witness and unity of the gatheringThe Uniting Church in Australia has played an active and visible role at the 27th General Council of the World Communion…
Bringing heart, help and happiness to her community
Val Thurston: Bringing heart, help and happiness to her community Op shops have been part of Australian culture for 100 years. At Corrimal Uniting’s shop, volunteer Val Thurston welcomes with warmth all who walk inThis month marks a remarkable milestone in Australian history: the 100th anniversary of the humble op shop. Once viewed as a…
Fun, fellowship and faith at Vic/Tas family camp
Fun, faith and fellowship as President joins with faith communities for family camp The President joined with families in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania for a weekend family camp on the theme ‘Threads of Inclusion’, inspired by the President’s theme for the trienniumThis article was originally published by Crosslight in the Synod of Victoria…
Changing lives through generosity
Changing lives through generosity Rev Dr Paul Goh recently saw first hand the impact of loving hearts giving generously During his current visit to Thailand as a member of the Uniting Church’s delegation for the World Communion of Reformed Churches’ General Council, President-elect Rev Dr Paul Goh has shared in a unique presentation hosted…
National History Society Conference held
National History Society Conference meets Big questions were at the heart of the Uniting Church National History Society’s biennial conference held in Canberra earlier this monthby Margaret Reeson, member of the UC National History Society and former Moderator of Synod of NSW and ACT The fifth biennial conference of the Uniting Church National History Society…
Exploring the possibility of intercultural transformation
Exploring the possibility of intercultural transformation An important online consultation was recently held to examine a new proposal for the Church’s life together 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.…
Uniting Church Assembly statement on the Israel-Hamas peace agreement
Statement on Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Peace Agreement Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has released a statement expressing deep relief and cautious hope following the reaching of a peace agreement last week and the commencement of hostage release on MondayStatement by President Rev Charissa Suli On the ceasefire and peace agreement…