Archdeacon of Newark elected as Scottish Bishop

The Archdeacon of Newark, the Venerable Dr Nigel Peyton has been elected as the new Bishop of Brechin – overseeing the Dundee and Tayside area of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Nigel Peyton came from Scotland to Nottingham in 1985 as vicar of All Saints Church in inner city Nottingham. He went on to be Priest-in-Charge at Lambley, and was chaplain to Nottingham Bluecoat School. He was appointed as a Ministry Development Adviser for the Diocese in 1991 and was made Archdeacon of Newark in 1999.

Nigel said: “I am honoured to have been chosen and look forward to returning to serve in the diocese where my ministry began. I am sad to be leaving Nottinghamshire after 25 enormously fulfilling years. My only regret is leaving not having seen Forest promoted to the Premiership!”

Nigel, who studied at Edinburgh University, was ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral in Dundee in 1976 and served in a number of parish and chaplaincy posts in Dundee before moving to Nottinghamshire.

The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, said: “Nigel Peyton has been an outstanding Archdeacon whose service to this diocese has been very significant. He has made many contributions as a long-standing member of the Church of England’s General Synod. I’m delighted at Nigel’s appointment to the Diocese of Brechin. He will be a very good bishop leading that diocese in its mission. Throughout his ministry Nigel has been extremely well supported by Anne and the family.”

The election of the new bishop was carried out yesterday, Wednesday, 18th May, by an Electoral Synod (comprising representatives of clergy and lay church members from the Diocese of Brechin) and was chaired by the Most Revd David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, who says “I congratulate Archdeacon Peyton on his election.  The Scottish Episcopal Church will be delighted to welcome him to leadership in the Diocese of Brechin and to share in the life of the College of Bishops.”

Nigel Peyton is married to Anne, a retired school teacher.  His interests include grand-parenting, writing, eclectic reading, music, gardening, supporting Nottingham Forest FC and enjoying real ale!

The Diocese of Brechin became vacant in October 2010 following the early retirement of the late Rt Rev Dr John Mantle, who had served the Diocese of Brechin since 2005. Dr Mantle died in November 2010.
A service of consecration and installation of the new bishop will take place in St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee.  Details of this service will be available at a later date.

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Biography
The Venerable Dr Nigel Peyton, born 1951. Justice of the Peace 1987. Edinburgh University MA 1973; BD 1976. Union Theological Seminary, New York STM (Master of Theology) 1977. Lancaster University PhD 2009. Edinburgh Theological College 1973. Deaconed 1976. Priested 1977. Chaplain, St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee 1976-82. Diocesan Youth Chaplain 1976-85. Chaplain, Invergowrie 1979-82; Priest-in-Charge, 1982-85. Chaplain, University Hospital, Dundee 1982-85. Vicar, Nottingham All Saints, Southwell 1985-91; Priest-in-Charge, Lambley 1991-99. Chaplain, Bluecoat School, Nottingham 1990-92. Diocesan Ministry Development Adviser, Southwell 1991-99. Archdeacon, Newark from 1999. Member of General Synod 1995 – 2010. Director Ecclesiastical Insurance Group from 2005. Hon. Teaching Fellow Lancaster University 2010.

For further details and photographs contact Rachel Farmer tel 01636 817218 mobile 077 121 96381