Interview with Nikki Macdonald
By Janine C. Hagan
Nikki describes herself as an 'ecumenical bitser' - bits of this, bits of that. Having a Catholic mother and a Presbyterian father, she was christened and confirmed in the Anglican Church of Australia as a compromise. She then spent 10 years in the Uniting Church in Australia. After moving to Scotland 11 years ago, she has lived and worked with the Iona community and lived in a Wesley Community. Nikki is now a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church and currently runs Cornerstone Bookshop, a non-profit resource for the churches in Scotland. She writes, facilitates workshops, preaches, co-ordinates the church Sunday School and is an Associate of the Iona Community.

Janine: Tell me about the Cornerstone Bookshop and your experiences there and with the other activities that flow from the bookshop. What sort of things are happening in this season of Lent and Easter, and what does your bookstore offer that you think is particularly meaningful?

Nikki: St. John's Church, Princes St. Edinburgh, set up Cornerstone, in May 1991. The remit was that we would be a non-profit, ecumenical resource for the churches in Scotland, cunningly disguised as a bookshop! Initially, the vision was implemented by gathering a wide-ranging stock of titles and by running bookstalls at events and local churches - with particular emphasis on being inclusive. Our social justice section has always marked us out as quite a different type of Christian bookshop. For example, we were staunch advocates for women priests. We have always had a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered section. In late 1995, we opened a modest branch in Glasgow, which is now gently thriving.

After I came along in September 1998, Edinburgh Cornerstone then had two full-time members of staff. This meant we were then able to broaden our remit further. We now offer workshops, evening discussions and even the occasional book group. Workshops we run include - Celtic Spirituality; Nuts and Bolts for Readers and Intercessors; and various Christian Education workshops.

Overall, what we are trying to create is a space where folk are not merely 'customers' but part of a community. I guess, in a way, we have always tried to be a bit of a safe haven for everyone, especially folk who have felt marginalized and/or excluded.

Janine: What is your particular involvement/ministry with the Scottish Episcopalian Church?

Nikki: I'm a member of St. Columba's-by-the-Castle, in Edinburgh. As the name suggests, we are literally 'by the Castle', so get quite a few visitors coming throughout the summer season. At present, I am the 'Underchurch Co-ordinator'. It sounds very subversive. It's what we call our Sunday School and we are thus named because our hall is directly under the worship space and it is where we meet. We are exploring the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum this year. As we use a rotational roster for facilitators, this means I get to go upstairs occasionally and can be involved in intercessions, readings, or serving. Very occasionally, they let me loose and I get to preach. And, at times, have done experimental liturgies outside our morning service. I've also done a three-year stint on Vestry, but I wasn't broken-hearted when I had to come to the end of my term…

Within the Diocese, I'm part of the Edinburgh Diocesan Education Committee. This is due to my involvement running Cornerstone and being a workshop facilitator. Some of our remit is to approve grants from within the Diocese; we also run training workshops, which is great fun. It's always a buzz to gather folk from different churches and give them an opportunity to meet and natter. Janine: Would you tell us a little about your involvement in the Iona and the Wesley Communities? And, please share a little about your writing.

Nikki: In 1993 (for nine weeks), '94 (two weeks over Christmas) and then for the year in '95, I worked on the Isle of Iona in the Western Isles, for the Iona Community. I am now an Associate Member, belong to a Family Group and am hoping to join as a Member within the next couple of years. The Community itself is a dispersed community of folk, rooted within a Scottish tradition, with a common passion for peace and justice issues, relating them within a Christian context in ways that touch the hearts of all. A thumbnail history …. The founder was the Very Rev. George MacLeod, who was appalled at the poverty of the 1930's, and by the church not seeming to relate to it. He decided to form a group (men only at that time) of Ministers of the Church of Scotland and labourers / tradesmen who would rebuild the Abbey on Iona. By working together, eating together, praying together, he hoped that divisions would be broken and bonds would be forged. The Iona Community evolved, the Abbey was built, another centre - the MacLeod Centre was built. There is also another centre on the Isle of Mull, called Camus.

The Island centres now offer weekly hospitality for 9 months of the year, running programmes reflecting Community issues of concern. Most folks on staff are not Members of the Iona Community, but are in sympathy with the Community's concerns. As a Resident on the Island, apart from playing about with the books in the shop, I had a fabulous time experimenting with music and liturgy, and meeting some amazing people from all around the world!

After leaving the island in Jan. '96, I moved to Edinburgh and found myself living in the 'Wesley Community', attached to Nicolson Square Methodist Church. The very basic rule of Community was to meet, eat and have Communion together every Wednesday. This was open to members of the Church, and a lovely core group of folk would regularly attend. Again, it was more opportunities for music and liturgy, depending on who the Celebrant was. We invited not only Methodist ministers but people of other denominations, as well as doing it ourselves Agape style. There was always an interesting mix!

Through these experiences of community, I have been writing a book about this subject. However, it's on hold at the moment. I've also written liturgies / meditations; occasional magazine articles; poetry / songs; and Lent group study material. It keeps me out of mischief.

Janine: Have you ever had a particular moment where the memory of a faith experience has changed meaning in your life or your view of a mystery? Can you briefly tell us about that and where it has led you?

Nikki: What a question! It's beauty that inspires and moves me into the mystery. In 1984, I went to a Greek Orthodox Easter service. Legend has it that Prince Vladimir of Russia sent out delegates to find a religion that would be suitable for the people. They came back saying "We knew not whether we were in heaven or still upon earth, for surely there is no such splendour or beauty anywhere upon the earth. We cannot describe it to you. Only this we know: that God dwells there among men, and that their service surpasses the worship of all other places. For we can never forget that beauty."

It's in the mystery that I find the comfort of knowing that I don't need to have all of the answers. It's in the mystery that I understand that the infinite awesome nature of God is beyond my comprehending. And paradoxically, it's in the mystery, that the awesome God stoops down to where I am in my finite space and together we have relationship, connection, community.

For me, the world is like God's icon. Whilst my feet are planted firmly in it, in both the light and dark places, the beautiful and the broken places, it is the window through which I can connect and meet God. It means I try to see the beauty, to see God in all things and in love, transforming love, at work. 'Christ in the stranger's guise', as a Celtic rune says. And perhaps that's why I'm in a process of discerning what the word 'ministry' means for me. Does it mean ordination? And that's quite a mystery to me!

Janine: Since you are involved with so many aspects of faith resources and educational ministry, what do you think are the most important things to teach about Lent and Easter?

Nikki: I think that in our 'micro-wave' instant society, it's important to take the time to appreciate the wilderness experience. That it is a good thing, a part of being fully human. Don't be afraid of the dark. Without that preparation of visiting the broken, dark places, how can we truly appreciate the wholly, holy joy of Easter?

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