Gathering encourages women in pastoral ministry

Twenty-two women discerning a call to ministry, training for pastoral ministry or serving in pastoral ministry gathered at Luther Heights Youth Camp on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast from 2 to 4 September for the 2026 Gathering of Women in Pastoral Ministry.

Centred on the theme of Romans 10:15, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news’, the gathering provided opportunities for worship, learning, fellowship and sharing ministry journeys.

The program included presentations from LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith and Australian Lutheran College Director of Applied Learning Emma Graetz, alongside worship led by pastors Maria Rudolph, Sue Westhorp and Tanya Wittwer, and General Ministry Pastor candidates Dr Tania Nelson and Jordan Moore.

Dr Nelson, who is also convenor of the LCANZ Advocacy for Women in Pastoral Ministry team, described the gathering as ‘an affirming and life-giving time together’.

‘We told stories of our journeys and people who have supported us, shared resources and heard from our LCANZ female pastors, as well as a female pastor from the Uniting Church and two female priests from the Anglican church,’ she said.

Dr Nelson said she was particularly encouraged to hear about the journey towards the ordination of women in other church traditions and thanked Bishop Paul for his support of the gathering.

Bridgitte Willshire described the gathering as a time to ‘encounter God’s Spirit and dwell in God’s love’. She said attendees drew encouragement from worshipping together, sharing perspectives and supporting one another in ‘the highs and lows of walking this path’.

Sandra Wittwer described it as ‘a blessed 48 hours of intentional learning from each other’.