Happy 80th to Bishop Ives

With a room filled with family and friends at our church on Nov. 18, Bishop Cliff Ives celebrated his 80th birthday. There was a heartfelt blessing from the Rev. Jim Young, stories of long ago from Camp Mechuwana, and generations of young and somewhat older who all felt blessed by how the bishop’s words and actions have impacted their lives in both sanctuaries and in their homes.

The Rev. Jim Young sharing stories of and blessings for Bishop Ives.

It was a homecoming of sorts for the celebration to have been held in our church. The Rev. Cliff Ives, while still a student at the Boston University School of Theology, became our church’s minister in 1962 and served in that position until 1968. At that time our church was closer to Scarborough in a building that is now the Church of the Nazarene. In 1963, behind The Rev. Ives’ leadership, plans for our new church began and in June of 1967, the first service was held in our current church.

A buffet dinner was held during the celebration, but when it came time for dessert, there wasn’t a birthday cake. “My father doesn’t like cake,” Steve Ives said. “So instead, we’ll have his favorite — ice cream sundaes!”

Some members of our current church attended the celebration, including Judith and Steve Hill, Bruce and Sue Lind, Jim and Kay Young, Gary and Jane Beckwith and Beverly Merrill. Also in attendance was the Rev. Ruth Morrison, who retired as our church’s minister in June.

Happy Birthday, Bishop!