ANCHORAGE, Alaska — 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. He reminded participants that brokenness and blessedness often coexist, shaping 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 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 participants to recognize “being and becoming,” the image of God, as they engage in and weave together their beautiful diversity and rich traditions. Using Colossians 3:13–14 as her foundational text, Dr. Dharmaraj grounded the group in hope, as participants named and reflected on the unique challenges they face in ministry within their own respective contexts.
Founding Story
The AAPIC (Asian American and Pacific-Islander Clergywomen) was born out of the 2008 Racial Ethnic Clergywomen Consultation held in Los Angeles. Many participants 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, the group has been meeting every other year in different places across the U.S. with hope to reach out to all AAPI clergywomen.
AAPIC's purpose is to serve Asian American and Pacific Islander United Methodist clergywomen, as well as their churches and communities. The groups 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.”
The conference was supported by several UMC agencies, including Wespath Clergy Initiative, Global Miinistries on behalf of Asian American Language Ministry and Pacific Ministry Plan, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the National American Korean Caucus, and the California Pacific Conference and Rev. Ken Shur for support and leadership.
As they departed the gathering, the clergywomen, local pastors, and seminarians were reminded that they are rooted in Christ and woven together in diversity, each offering 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 attendees 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?’”
The Rev. Dr. Kalesita Tu’ifua, AAPIC President, said in a press release: "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."