A Message from the Revd Canon James Henley,
Ministry Area Leader
Dear friends
This evening, Archbishop Cherry has announced that I am to serve as the next Archdeacon of Newport and Diocesan Director of Ministry & Discipleship. I’m honoured to have been offered this opportunity, and humbled by the faith she and others have placed in my abilities.
This is, though, incredibly bittersweet news — as it means that I will be leaving East Cardiff. Serving as Ministry Area Leader here has been a huge privilege, and I have come to care deeply for you all.
My final service will take place at 6pm on Sunday 15th February in All Saints’ Cyncoed. I’d so appreciate if you could join me, as we give thanks together for all God has done among us in recent years, and pray for the future. Between now and then, I hope to also enjoy a final visit with each of our congregations.
I pray that, here in East Cardiff, you will continue to grow — both in love for one another and in your witness to the wider community — and I will make it a priority as Archdeacon to ensure the right person is appointed to lead you forwards. Please do pray for Amy, Evie, Theodora and myself during this coming transition, and be assured of my continuing affection for you all long into the future.
Yours in Christ
James.
Announcement of the New Archdeacon of Newport
Bishop Cherry is delighted to announce the appointment of Revd Canon James Henley as Archdeacon of Newport and Director of Ministry & Discipleship.
James has served within the Diocese of Monmouth since 2006 and is currently Ministry Area Leader in East Cardiff and Continuing Ministerial Development Officer for the diocese.
Bishop Cherry said: “James is already well known in the diocese and serves on a number of our boards and committees. He brings wisdom, insight and a deep love for the church and its people, all of which will stand him in good stead as Archdeacon and Director of Ministry and Discipleship. I look forward very much to working with him in this new role.”
The diocese holds a special place in James’ heart having served as a pastoral assistant and then as a pioneer minister, before being ordained in 2015. He completed his curacy in Newport before moving to Cardiff in 2017. He is an elected member of the Diocesan Standing Committee, Diocesan Board of Finance and the Governing Body of the Church in Wales. In November 2025, he was installed as a Canon of Newport Cathedral.
Speaking about his appointment, James said: “I’m delighted to have been invited by Archbishop Cherry to take up this new role, in a Diocese and Archdeaconry for which I care so deeply, and which has played such a significant part in shaping my own ministry and discipleship. I look forward to walking alongside our clergy and lay people through both the joys and challenges they face, and to working closely with Archdeacons Stella (Bailey) and Ian (Rees), and the wider Diocesan team.”
Please hold James, his wife Amy and daughters, Evie and Theodora, in your prayers as they embark on this next chapter.
James will be installed as Archdeacon of Newport and Director of Ministry & Discipleship at Newport Cathedral on 8th March at 4pm.