Julia E. Whitworth is an American Episcopal bishop currently serving as the 17th Bishop of Massachusetts, having previously been rector of Trinity Church in Indianapolis.[1][2][3]
Education
editBorn in Richmond, Virginia, Whitworth graduated from Dartmouth College in 1993 with a Bachelor's degree in drama and English, and later studied for a Master's degree at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 2010.[1]
Career
editWhitworth began her career as a drama instructor at the Tisch School of the Arts and was a visiting lecturer at Mount Holyoke College.[1]
Having been ordained as a priest in 2010, she served as assistant rector of St. James's Church in West Hartford, Connecticut, until 2012, and as canon for liturgy and the arts at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City from 2013 to 2016, when she became rector of Trinity Church, Indianapolis.[1]
On May 18, 2024, she was elected to serve as the 17th Bishop of Massachusetts − the first woman to serve in that role.[4] Her consecration took place at Trinity Church, Boston, on October 19, 2024, in the presence of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Michael Curry.[2][5][6][7]
Family
editWhitworth is married to Ray Neufeld, an artist and designer, with whom she has three children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Diocese of Massachusetts, "The Rev. Julia E. Whitworth elected bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts", May 18, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Episcopal News Service, "Julia E. Whitworth elected 17th bishop of Massachusetts", May 20, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024
- ^ Boston Globe, ""First woman consecrated to head Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts", October 19, 2024. Retrieved October 19 2024.
- ^ Boston Globe, "Episcopal Diocese of Mass. elects first woman bishop", May 18, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, "Rev. Julia Whitworth Elected Bishop of Diocese of Massachusetts", May 20, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Diocese of Massachusetts, "Consecration of our 17th bishop diocesan". Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ YouTube, "Ordination and Consecration of the 17th Bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts", video. Retrieved October 19, 2024.