General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Revd. Zoe Heming

Canon for Mission, Newcastle Cathedral

2026 GENERAL SYNOD ELECTION
ADDRESS

Nominated by: Rev. Robert Lawrence
Chair of House of Clergy, Former General Synod Rep.

Seconded by: Rev. Emma Duff
LGBTQ+ Chaplain

Who am |?

Taman energetic and hardworking priest whose ministry has included rural and urban parishes,
chaplaincies and diocesan roles in Lichfield, as well as cathedral ministry in the heart of
Newcastle. This breadth has taught me to value the many forms, traditions and expressions of
faithful ministries and a sincere love for the communities - rural and urban - thet can too easily
feel forgotten.

T bring lived experience of disability and a record of national Church leadership to the service of
Newcastle Diocese. I have nine years of General Synod experience which has mode me
comfortable with challenging unjust uses of power where [ encounter them. After nearly two
years as Canon for Mission at Newcastle Cathedral, I have begun to know the diocese's people,
places and distinctive opportunities for mission. As a clergy wife and mum of 3 young women |
have a passion for the future of the Church of England!

Why vote for me?

1 offer experience, resilience and a practical understanding of how Synod works, together with a
commitment to an inclusive, accessible and safer Church. If elected, 1 will represent Newcastle
Diocese with integrity, work constructively with those who differ from me and help churches and
cathedrals serve their communities with confidence and compassion. | remain convinced that the
Church has a vital role in fostering cohesion, challenging injustice and offering hope in an
increasingly divided world.

T understand how to create change within Synod's complex systems and would be oble to get
straight to work on your behalf. I also believe that how we do things matters as much as what we
do: Tam pragmatic but hopeful, work well across the breadth of the Church and have o proven
record of bringing people together across difference with fairness, integrity and heart.

My record ower 4 yrs on General Symod

*® Very active contribution: speaking in debabes across a wide ronge of issues and working on Clergy Wellbeing, housing,
Sofequarding and social justice.

• National leadership: elected to various General Synod Committees including (but mot only) concerned with disability and

Inclusion and advocating for greater accessibility and participetion throughout Church structures.

*) Trusted Choiring across traditions: serving for five yeors on the Poned of Chairs. f howe chaired complex and sensitive debotes
with impartiality ond care.

® Practical inclusion: co-founding Accessible Synod ond embedding greater porticipation ond leadership of disabled ond
naurodivergent people at General Synod and in wider church life.

If Elected I will focus on:

Fair funding for local churches

I will press for a fairer distribution of national funding so that local churches are properly
resourced across the breadth of Anglican worshipping traditions. Investment should not be
concentrated in a small number of new ventures following similar models and theologies; it must
also sustain established congregations and diverse approaches to mission.

Clergy Wellbeing and Proportionate Governance

Too many clergy are being asked to do more with less. The national Church must address working
hours, administrative overload and governance processes that place disproportionate liabilities
and risks on clergy alongside the daily responsibilities of priesthood.

Social justice and more Confident Mission

Loving our neighbour as a whole person requires us to challenge unjust structures as missionary
disciples. Synod should empower the whole Church to embody the upside-down kingdom of God,
speak with courage about poverty and human dignity, and share the Christian faith confidently in
contemporary society.

An inclusive and Safer Church

My lived experience of disability has deepened my commitment to recognising the gifts,
perspectives and vocations of disabled and neurodivergent people. Full inclusion of women and
LGBTQ+ people is also essential to our credibility, particularly among younger people. I affirm
Inclusive Synod's commitment to equality for everyone, at every level and in every role,
irrespective of disability, economic power, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, learning disability,
mental health, neurodiversity or sexuality.

As Newcastle Cathedral's Safeguarding Lead, I support the work of our Chaplain to Survivors of
Church-Based Abuse and seek to ensure that Survivors’ voices continue to shape our life and
ministry. I will work for Safeguarding that is stronger, more effective and worthy of trust.

“As a former General Synod member, I am delighted to support Zoe because she is an experienced priest whose ministry ina
She is a champion for disability and accessibility, whose experience on General Synod, and as a Synod Chair means that she
different traditions. “- Revd. Robert Lawrence

“Lam pleased to Second Zoe to be a Clergy Representative for Newcastle. In working with Zoe, I have found her to be a
Tf elected to Synod, she will bring to the role a wealth of experience, together with a love for our Diecese and a passion to
include those often excluded.” - Rev'd Emma Duff

PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING ME YOUR 1°" PREFERENCE VOTE!

To get in touch [email protected] Find out more on link below:

Rev. Canon Zoe Heming on about.me

abuse,clergy wellbeing,disability,disciples,equality,gender identity,housing,inclusive,injustice,justice,lgbtq,mental health,mission,neurodiversity,poverty,safeguarding,sexuality,social justice,survivors,vocations