printed 12 June 2024
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A service of thanksgiving for the lifetime of the Very Rev Dr James Simpson, former Moderator of the Normal Meeting and Royal Chaplain, was held at St Leonard’s within the Fields Church, Perth.
Thought of one of many Kirk’s most distinguished ministers, Glasgow-born Dr Simpson served Sutherland’s historic Dornoch Cathedral for greater than 20 years.
He was additionally well-known as a dinner speaker and best-selling writer, elevating over £80,000 for cystic fibrosis analysis and advocating for a situation that bothered his first granddaughter, Sally.
In 1993, he was appointed a Chaplain in Atypical to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
A eager and low-handicap golfer, Dr Simpson – recognized to his many pals as Jimmy or Jim – was an honorary life member of Royal Dornoch Golf Membership, the place being appointed captain was considered one of his proudest moments.
In 1994-1995 his time period was diminished to 2 years when he was appointed Moderator of the Normal Meeting.
The service was attended by many pals of Dornoch’s household in golf membership tartan.
The Rt Rev Dr Shaw Patterson, Moderator of the Normal Meeting, was amongst many Kirk ministers who thanked Dr Simpson for his exceptional life.
Talking afterwards, he stated: “It was no shock to see individuals queuing out the door, up the steps and not far away on my arrival.
“Jimmy Simpson was a beloved minister and communicator who cared for these he got here in touch with.
“His humorousness, ardour for golf and love for his household shine via as a full church remembers and offers thanks for his life.
“It was a powerful service led by the Very Rev Dr Andrew McLellan and the Very Rev Dr John Chalmers adopted by a non-public committee at Perth Crematorium carried out by the Very Rev Dr Susan Brown.
All three ministers are former moderators of the Normal Meeting.
The Fairway of Heaven
In a current interview, Dr Simpson recalled: “Once I got here from Glasgow, life revolved across the cathedral and the golf membership, though I rapidly realized that there have been way more golfers than churchgoers once I preached as the one nominee!
“Naturally I joined the golf membership and made friendships that final to today.”
Dr. Simpson’s ardour for golf prolonged an invite to be chaplain on the thirtieth Ryder Cup held on the Belfry in 1993.
The trophy was received by a US group led by Tom Watson, defeating a European group led by Bernard Gallacher.
Whereas he performed well-known programs comparable to Augusta and Pinehurst on his travels, Royal Dornoch loved a particular place within the minister’s coronary heart and he wrote a short historical past of the membership.
After graduating from Glasgow College with top notch honors in arithmetic and physics, Dr Simpson was contemplating a profession finding out nuclear analysis.
On the time, there have been no vacancies at Harwell, which targeted on growing peaceable makes use of of nuclear power.
The one profession alternative was at Aldermaston, which specialised within the manufacture of nuclear weapons.
Not desirous to spend his life constructing atomic bombs, former Eastwood Excessive pupil Dr Simpson returns to his hometown to review divinity at Glasgow College.
Writers and Authors
After a spell at Greenbank Church, Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, in 1976, he was known as to minister at Dornoch Cathedral.
Throughout his 21 years within the metropolis, he’s credited with remodeling the ailing congregation into some of the vibrant and greatest attended within the Highlands.
After retiring from the Dornock function in 1997 he grew to become interim minister at Almondbank and Tibermore in Perthshire and offered a precious serving to hand to various church buildings together with Brechin Cathedral, St Leonards, Scone Outdated, Crieff and Bankfoot.
Dr Simpson was a prolific author of articles for the Church of Scotland – his common column, Life and Work, was eagerly anticipated by readers for over 10 years within the Church Journal – and numerous golf magazines at house and overseas.
His first e-book, “Holy Wit,” topped the Scottish best-seller listing for months.
He printed 13 different books, together with “Life, Love and Laughter” and others recounting humorous and uplifting tales from his life as a minister and anecdotes about individuals as various as poet Robert Burns, American minister of faith and civil rights activist. described Martin Luther King and golfer Lee Trevino.
Whereas at Dornoch, Dr Simpson was proud to obtain an honorary doctorate from the College of Aberdeen.
He campaigned for an opt-out coverage on organ donation. His granddaughter Sally died on the age of 27 after a double lung transplant two years earlier.
Dr Simpson died peacefully at his Bankfoot house close to Perth – which he named “Dornoch” – weeks after household from close to and much gathered along with his spouse Helen of 64 to have a good time his ninetieth birthday.
On the thanksgiving service, the previous Moderator, the Very Reverend Dr David Lacey, gave a studying and Dr Simpson’s eldest son Neil delivered an exquisite tribute on behalf of the household.
Dr. Simpson’s son-in-law Derrick McCaskill enjoying “Highland Cathedral” on the bagpipes, retired Donations for Cystic Fibrosis Analysis and the Bankfoot Church Heart had been invited.
The minister is survived by his spouse Helen, their 5 youngsters, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Gordon Bannerman.
