Lee Rayfield | |
---|---|
Bishop of Swindon | |
Church | Church of England |
Diocese | Diocese of Bristol |
In office | 2005–2023 [1] |
Predecessor | Michael Doe |
Other post(s) | Acting Bishop of Bristol (2017–2018) |
Orders | |
Ordination | 1993 (deacon); 1994 (priest) by John Waine |
Consecration | 8 June 2005
[1] by Rowan Williams |
Personal details | |
Born | 30 September 1955 |
Nationality | British |
Denomination | Anglican |
Spouse |
(
m. 1978) |
Children | three [3] |
Profession | formerly immunology lecturer |
Alma mater | University of Southampton |
Lee Stephen Rayfield [4] (born 30 September 1955) is a retired Anglican bishop who served as Bishop of Swindon. [5]
Rayfield was educated at the University of Southampton, where he gained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) honours degree in Biology in 1978. He then studied for his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from St Mary's Hospital Medical School ( Paddington, Greater London), being awarded his doctorate in 1981, after which he remained as a post-doctoral researcher until 1984. His final medical post was as a lecturer in immunology at UMDS ( Borough & Waterloo, Greater London). As an immunologist, he has contributed to a number of journals and textbooks. [2] A keen amateur runner and cyclist, [6] he has been married since 1978, with three children. [2]
In 1991, Rayfield went to Ridley Hall, Cambridge to study for the ministry, after which he was made a deacon at Petertide (4 July) 1993 at Chelmsford Cathedral [7] and ordained a priest the Petertide following (26 June 1994), at Waltham Abbey, both times by John Waine, Bishop of Chelmsford. [8] [9] His ministerial career began with a curacy at Woodford, London (1993–1997) after which he held his only incumbency, as Priest in Charge (1997–2004, and later Vicar, 2004–2005) of St Peter's Furze Platt ( Maidenhead, Berkshire). While at Furze Platt, he was additionally a part-time chaplain at St Mark's Hospital, Maidenhead (from 1997), and Area Dean of Maidenhead (from 2000; the deanery changed to Maidenhead and Windsor from 2003). He has also been a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists (SOSc) since 1995, and served on the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (2000–2009) and on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority since 2012. [2]
He became the Bishop of Swindon, the sole suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Bristol, in 2005: he was ordained and consecrated a bishop on 8 June by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, [1] and installed at Bristol Cathedral on 18 June. [3] Rayfield was Acting Bishop of Bristol after the retirement of Mike Hill in September 2017, until the election of Vivienne Faull in July 2018. [10] On 13 February 2023, he announced his retirement, effective 30 April. [11]
Lee Rayfield | |
---|---|
Bishop of Swindon | |
Church | Church of England |
Diocese | Diocese of Bristol |
In office | 2005–2023 [1] |
Predecessor | Michael Doe |
Other post(s) | Acting Bishop of Bristol (2017–2018) |
Orders | |
Ordination | 1993 (deacon); 1994 (priest) by John Waine |
Consecration | 8 June 2005
[1] by Rowan Williams |
Personal details | |
Born | 30 September 1955 |
Nationality | British |
Denomination | Anglican |
Spouse |
(
m. 1978) |
Children | three [3] |
Profession | formerly immunology lecturer |
Alma mater | University of Southampton |
Lee Stephen Rayfield [4] (born 30 September 1955) is a retired Anglican bishop who served as Bishop of Swindon. [5]
Rayfield was educated at the University of Southampton, where he gained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) honours degree in Biology in 1978. He then studied for his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from St Mary's Hospital Medical School ( Paddington, Greater London), being awarded his doctorate in 1981, after which he remained as a post-doctoral researcher until 1984. His final medical post was as a lecturer in immunology at UMDS ( Borough & Waterloo, Greater London). As an immunologist, he has contributed to a number of journals and textbooks. [2] A keen amateur runner and cyclist, [6] he has been married since 1978, with three children. [2]
In 1991, Rayfield went to Ridley Hall, Cambridge to study for the ministry, after which he was made a deacon at Petertide (4 July) 1993 at Chelmsford Cathedral [7] and ordained a priest the Petertide following (26 June 1994), at Waltham Abbey, both times by John Waine, Bishop of Chelmsford. [8] [9] His ministerial career began with a curacy at Woodford, London (1993–1997) after which he held his only incumbency, as Priest in Charge (1997–2004, and later Vicar, 2004–2005) of St Peter's Furze Platt ( Maidenhead, Berkshire). While at Furze Platt, he was additionally a part-time chaplain at St Mark's Hospital, Maidenhead (from 1997), and Area Dean of Maidenhead (from 2000; the deanery changed to Maidenhead and Windsor from 2003). He has also been a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists (SOSc) since 1995, and served on the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (2000–2009) and on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority since 2012. [2]
He became the Bishop of Swindon, the sole suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Bristol, in 2005: he was ordained and consecrated a bishop on 8 June by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, [1] and installed at Bristol Cathedral on 18 June. [3] Rayfield was Acting Bishop of Bristol after the retirement of Mike Hill in September 2017, until the election of Vivienne Faull in July 2018. [10] On 13 February 2023, he announced his retirement, effective 30 April. [11]