Rayford Jeffrey Ray

Rayford Jeffrey Ray (born August 30, 1956) is the eleventh and current bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan.

Biography Ray was born on August 30, 1956, in Heidelberg, West Germany. He became a US citizen when he turned 18. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history and language from Cameron University. He then became a middle school geography, social studies and American history teacher, before attending Nashotah House for theological studies. He graduated in 1986.

Ray was ordained deacon on June 21, 1986, and priest on April 1, 1987. He served congregations in Oklahoma until 1990, when he moved to Northern Michigan. He married Suzanne Ray, who is also a priest.

On December 4, 2010, he was elected Bishop of Northern Michigan, after over three years of vacancy in the episcopal seat of the diocese. He was consecrated on May 21, 2011.