Asian American Pacific-Islander Clergywomen (AAPIC) Conference 2025
Theme: “Rooted in Christ, Weaved in Diversity”
October 7-9, 2025 – Anchor Park U.M.C., Anchorage, Alaska
Report submitted by Rev. Dr. Kalesita Tu’ifua, AAPIC President
The Asian American Pacific-Islander Clergywomen (AAPIC) of the United Methodist Church gathered in Anchorage, Alaska on October 7-9, 2025, for a time of spiritual renewal, fellowship, sharing, and worship.
The biennial conference brought together AAPIC clergywomen from across the denomination to celebrate our AAPI identities, grow in learning, build relationships, and strengthen our network as partners in UMC leadership. Amid Alaska’s natural beauty, participants found spiritual renewal through prayer, learning, storytelling, shared meals, and sisterhood in Christ.
During the Opening Worship, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area delivered an inspiring message on the theme “Blessed and Broken,” based on Luke 9:12–17, the story of the feeding of the 5,000. Bishop Bridgeforth reflected on the truth that even in moments of brokenness, God’s blessings remain present and active in our lives. He reminded participants that brokenness and blessedness often coexist, shaping our faith and ministry. His message challenged clergywomen to continue encouraging one another through seasons of hardship, pain, and relational challenges, trusting that God’s grace, blessing and light continue to shine through every circumstance.
Dr. Glory Dharmaraj served as our guest speaker, sharing her wisdom and depth of experience as she led two insightful workshops focused on the theme, “Rooted in Christ, Weaved in Diversity.” Through this theme, she invited us to recognize of our “being and becoming,” the image of God, as we engage in and weave together our beautiful diversity and rich traditions. Using Colossians 3:13–14 as her foundational text, Dr. Glory grounded us in hope, as we named and reflected on the unique challenges we face in ministry within our own respective contexts.
Founding Story:
Our AAPIC (Asian American and Pacific-Islander Clergywomen) was born out of the 2008 Racial Ethnic Clergywomen Consultation held in Los Angeles. Many of us represented communities like Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodia, Thailand, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani, and Pacific Islands, and those who weren’t Korean or grouped elsewhere. Since then, we have been meeting every other year in many different places across the U.S. with hope to reach out to all our AAPI sisters.
Our purpose as AAPIC is to serve Asian American and Pacific Islander United Methodist clergywomen, as well as our churches and communities. Our Vision Statement is “Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we equip and empower Asian American and Pacific Islander women as disciples of Jesus Christ and transformational leaders of the United Methodist Church and the world.”
Our conference would not have been possible without the generous support of several UMC agencies, including Wespath Clergy Initiative, GBGM on behalf of AALM and Pacific Ministry Plan, GBHEM, the National American Korean Caucus, and of course our California Pacific Conferences and grateful for Rev. Ken Shur’s support and leadership. We are truly grateful for their faithful partnership and generous contributions.
As we departed the gathering, the clergywomen, local pastors, and seminarians were reminded that we are rooted in Christ and woven together in diversity, each offering our unique gifts in partnership to build and nurture communities of faith in making disciples and proclaiming the gospel for the transformation of the world. Bishop Bridgeforth challenged us to reflect: ‘When you return home, what will your community say about AAPIC? Will they wait for a miracle or hear the Word and find power in it?’”
Our ongoing hope is to continue expanding our fellowship and connection, reaching even more AAPIC sisters as we prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2028. So, I encourage and invite all AAPI clergywomen, seminarians, and those discerning a call to ministry to connect with us through our Facebook page below or any AAPIC Executive Board member. We’d love to hear your ministry stories as we continue to grow together in faith and sisterhood in Christ
You can learn more on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581846335146
