Rev. Janine Sim

 

Hello, I’m Rev. Janine Sim — a Unitarian minister, celebrant, spiritual companion, and community-builder, based in Edinburgh.

i’m a mum to four grown-up children, share my home with two couch hippos masquerading as staffie dogs, and is married to very awesome and patient Ewen.

I am passionate about creating inclusive, gentle spiritual spaces where people can be fully themselves. My ministry is shaped by years of trauma-informed and therapeutic work, a love of ritual and community, and a deep belief in deeds, not creeds.

At heart, I’m someone who believes deeply in people, in the sacredness of ordinary life, and in the power of community to heal, challenge, and transform us. My calling is to help create spaces where people can be fully human — curious, imperfect, joyful, grieving, questioning — and know they belong.

 

Who I Am

My path into ministry hasn’t been a straight line. I come from a rich mix of spiritual influences, including Unitarianism, Bhakti yoga, earth-based spirituality, contemplative Christianity, and many years of therapeutic, trauma-informed, somatic, and yoga-based practice. I’m drawn to faith that is lived rather than declared, embodied rather than imposed — what Unitarians often call deeds, not creeds.

Alongside my ministry, I bring extensive experience in therapeutic and trauma-informed work. This deeply shapes how I listen, how I lead, and how I hold space — with care for nervous systems, lived experience, and the unseen stories people carry. My approach is grounded, consent-aware, and compassionate, with a deep respect for people’s pace, boundaries, and resilience.

I’m neurodivergent and deeply relational, and I’m passionate about creating spiritual spaces that are inclusive, gentle, and real. I care about how faith is experienced in everyday life — especially for those who have felt marginalised, overwhelmed, or “not quite enough” in other settings.

I love thoughtful conversation, beautiful ritual, music, silence, laughter, and the kind of spirituality that can hold both grief and joy at the same time.

My Calling

My calling is to build belonging.

That might look like:

  • Leading inclusive, creative worship that speaks to both head and heart

  • Walking alongside people through life’s thresholds — weddings, funerals, namings, and moments of transition

  • Creating rituals that are meaningful without being dogmatic

  • Supporting communities to grow in compassion, courage, and care

  • Helping people reconnect with themselves, each other, and what feels sacred to them

I’m especially drawn to ministry that meets people where they are — in community halls, living rooms, outdoor spaces, and everyday moments — not just inside traditional church walls.

What Matters to Me

I believe:

  • Everyone carries wisdom, dignity, and worth — we often already hold the answers within, and connection helps us find them

  • Spirituality should never require you to leave parts of yourself at the door

  • Community is both a refuge and a practice

  • Love, justice, and kindness are spiritual acts

  • The sacred shows up when we listen deeply — to ourselves, each other, and the world

Whether I’m leading worship, officiating a ceremony, or sharing a cup of tea and an honest conversation, my hope is always the same: that people leave feeling seen, steadied, and a little more at home in themselves.

Telephone: 07814234283
(Please text or leave an answerphone message if I’m not available to receive your call.)