Rev Dr Jenny Wright takes up new role with the Archbishop of York

September 7, 2021

The Rev Dr Jenny Wright, currently the Associate Priest at Christ Church, Morningside in the Diocese of Edinburgh, and Convener of the Provincial Church in Society Committee, has been appointed Chaplain to the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

A press release from the Office of the Archbishop of York reported that the Rev Dr Jenny: “will support the Archbishop in his ministry in the York diocese and across the Northern Province, particularly providing spiritual, liturgical, pastoral and theological support at Bishopthorpe Palace, the working office and home of the Archbishop.”

Reflecting on her time in Scotland, Rev Dr Jenny said: “My time in the Scottish Episcopal Church has brought such variety, beginning life in Scotland as an intern at P’s & G’s, doing my curacy in the heart of the Old Town, at Old St. Paul’s before moving to Christ Church Morningside and the leafy streets of Bruntsfield. My time on General Synod as well as my convenorship of the Church in Society Committee has allowed me to make a contribution to the broader life of the SEC which has been both enriching and challenging. It is with a tear in my eye that I bid farewell. Please pray for me, Sean and the boys as we prepare to move south. I pray that God may grant us all wisdom and courage to do what is required of us, as we seek to live out the Good News, loving and serving God and neighbour with gentleness, kindness and unfailing hope.”

Welcoming the appointment, the Most Rev & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell said, “It is fantastic that Jenny is joining us. Her pastoral, theological, administrative and liturgical skills will add value to the service we offer the diocese of York and the northern province, helping us all to live and share Christ’s story. I look forward to welcoming her and her family to Bishopthorpe.”

The Rt Rev Dr John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh wished Jenny well: “I was delighted to know that Jenny is to be Chaplain to the Archbishop of York and I’m remembering her and her family in my prayers as they prepare to move south. This is a post in which her considerable gifts will be put to excellent use. A number of charges in the Edinburgh Diocese well know what she has to offer and more recently, of course, the Province too has benefited from her Convenership of the Church in Society Committee. We wish Jenny and Sean and the little ones many blessings in their new life, but we shall miss them and hope they will find their way back to the SEC in due course.”