Holywood friends celebrate with Canon Jim Sims
When Holywood’s Canon Jim Sims recently celebrated his 80th birthday there was nothing for it but to throw a party in the parish centre in his honour!
Members of Jim’s family, childhood friends, neighbours, former curates and parishioners gathered for a special afternoon tea to mark the occasion. As well as sandwiches, scones, tray bakes and birthday cake, there was a lot of happy reminiscing with the man himself.
Friends recalled Jim’s ‘mean smash’ as he starred in the parish badminton club team; his support of the CIYMS rugby team; being in the ‘Youth Guild’ together when they painted the hall and put down the wooden floor; taking leading roles in dramatic productions; many happy hours singing in the choir; and of course Jim’s more recent ministry in the parish.
Jim thanked everyone for their kind words and birthday wishes and reflected on his road to ministry beginning as a parish reader during the time of Canon Eric Barber. He then trained as a lay reader, then as an auxiliary minister before becoming a full–time clergyman.
Following fourteen years in the ministry, Jim said that he thought he might have retired six years ago to a little cottage near Strangford, however, his wife Sally always wanted to return to Holywood, his home town – and he was glad they did.
And so are the folks in the parish. Since his retirement Jim has been assisting the clergy and his pastoral care of the housebound and those in nursing homes and hospitals is greatly appreciated.
A belated ‘Happy Birthday’ Jim and may you have many more.
With thanks to Betty McLaughlin