President's Conference 2025 in review
Gathering as pilgrims and partners in Tonga, Uniting Church delegates reflect on faith, friendship and renewal from the 2025 UCA President’s Conference
January 28, 2026
When members of the Uniting Church gathered for the 2025 UCA President’s Conference last November, they did so as pilgrims and partners.
Hosted by President Rev Charissa Suli, the conference in Tonga was a homecoming of faith, friendship and renewal, celebrating the enduring relationship between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
Over four days on Tongatapu, delegates moved between theological colleges, schools and churches, sharing worship, dialogue and deep cultural immersion. Voices from across the Pacific, Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia – including First Peoples – came together to listen, learn and strengthen the cords that bind our churches in love and justice.
As the year unfolds, we invite you to pause and reflect on this life-giving gathering. Below, six conference delegates share their personal reflections from Tonga, alongside a highlights video capturing a memorable four days of hospitality, song and shared faith.
Read reflections from conference delegates
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.






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…
