Rev. Canon Zoe Heming

I am a creative, part-time wheelchair-using priest with a passion for sharing faith in new and engaging ways. I believe that every church and cathedral should be an inclusive, welcoming community where all people can discover, develop, and celebrate their God-given gifts.

Since 2023, I have served as Canon for Mission at Newcastle Cathedral. Much of my work focuses on leading and supporting teams involved in social justice initiatives that respond to the acute and complex needs of people who come through our doors. This includes people experiencing homelessness, those in recovery from addiction, women affected by gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, and individuals navigating the asylum and refugee system while seeking safety, stability, and the opportunity to flourish in the UK.

Alongside this, I am passionate about how we tell and share the Christian story in the heart of our city. I oversee the Cathedral's creative, educational, and community programmes, including exhibitions and partnerships that bring together people of different faiths, backgrounds, and experiences. In increasingly divided times, I believe the Church has a vital role to play in building understanding, strengthening community cohesion, and offering hope.

A key part of my ministry is supporting and empowering the remarkable volunteers who help make Newcastle Cathedral a welcoming and safe place for residents, visitors, pilgrims, and tourists alike. I am also proud to serve as the Cathedral's Safeguarding Lead and to support the ministry of the Church of England's only funded Chaplain to Survivors of Church-Based Abuse.

Before moving to the North East, I spent nine years in the Diocese of Lichfield as a parish priest and Diocesan Disability Adviser. During that time, I was also an active member of General Synod, chairing complex debates and serving on a range of national committees. I am particularly proud to have been a founding member of Accessible Synod, which continues to advocate for the full participation of disabled and neurodivergent people and to ensure their gifts and perspectives help shape the work of the Church.

Over many years, I have contributed to national working groups and initiatives aimed at removing barriers faced by disabled people within the Church of England. Those experiences continue to inform my ministry and leadership today.

I am seeking re-election to General Synod for the Diocese of Newcastle in 2026 because I remain deeply committed to the work facing our Church. My time at Newcastle Cathedral has broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of ministry in a cathedral, city, and regional context. It has strengthened my conviction that the Church is at its best when it is inclusive, compassionate, outward-looking, and courageous.

I continue to be hopeful about the future of the Church of England. If re-elected, I will bring the same energy, experience, and commitment to helping shape a Church where every person is welcomed, every voice is valued, and every community can experience the transforming love of God.

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