Rev. Dr Nikki Macdonald
Tel: 01864 502139
Email: minister.upperclyde(at)gmail.com
Nikki was ordained and inducted on 29 October, 2014.
Born in Australia, with Scottish grandparents who used the word 'home' and meant 'Scotland', she moved to the UK in 1992.
Over the years she has lived and worked on the Isle of Iona, living in community and working for the Iona Community; managed a small, independent Christian bookshop with ecumenical and social justice leanings; found herself doing a Divinity degree for 'fun' and ended up doing an accidental Masters by research, and a subsequent PhD focusing on the drama of discipline in early modern Scotland (she spent a lot of time with John Knox whilst doing so). In the midst of post-graduate studies, she finally addressed a long-held call to ministry and began her training. In her spare time she does the occasional stint on radio, plays guitar, enjoys baking bread, spending time with friends new and old, quite likes hearing and telling shaggy dog tales, loves the sea, is currently avoiding writing a book, and continues in the quest to find the perfect cup of coffee. She is not quite sure how she ended up in such a brilliant parish, with such excellent folk, but is delighted to be here.
please use the 'contact us' facility on the right-hand panel and your query will be redirected to the appropriate person/ committee
Office holders:
Session Clerk: currently vacant - minister acting as temp. clerk, with assistance from Heather Watt
Treasurer: Ralph Barker
Property: Willie White
Safeguarding: c/o Elaine Robinson, Douglas Valley Church [as part of informal grouping/ cluster arrangement]
Presbytery elder: Margaret Harley
Data protection: Ursula Baillie
Rolls incl Cradle roll: Ursula Baillie
Groups/ convenors:
[the minister is a co-opted member of all groups]
Worship Group: Nikki Macdonald w.:
Sub-groups:
Evening worship: last Sundays/Taize style services - Andy and Fiona Foley
Finance Group: Ralph Barker
Property and Fabric Group: Willie White
Social and Fund-raising Group: currently being reconstructed
Pastoral Care Group: Dee Yates
Christian Ed/Discipling Group: Nikki Macdonald w. Kirk Session
Magazine team: Dee Yates [editor], Nikki Macdonald
Guild committee: Heather Watt, Anne Borland, Cathie Craig
Session Clerk: currently vacant - minister acting as temp. clerk, with assistance from Heather Watt
Treasurer: Ralph Barker
Property: Willie White
Safeguarding: c/o Elaine Robinson, Douglas Valley Church [as part of informal grouping/ cluster arrangement]
Presbytery elder: Margaret Harley
Data protection: Ursula Baillie
Rolls incl Cradle roll: Ursula Baillie
Groups/ convenors:
[the minister is a co-opted member of all groups]
Worship Group: Nikki Macdonald w.:
Sub-groups:
Evening worship: last Sundays/Taize style services - Andy and Fiona Foley
Finance Group: Ralph Barker
Property and Fabric Group: Willie White
Social and Fund-raising Group: currently being reconstructed
Pastoral Care Group: Dee Yates
Christian Ed/Discipling Group: Nikki Macdonald w. Kirk Session
Magazine team: Dee Yates [editor], Nikki Macdonald
Guild committee: Heather Watt, Anne Borland, Cathie Craig
Hospitality team: Helen Johnson, Cathie Craig, Heather Watt, Dee Yates Anne Borland, Willie White
Readers: Ursula Baillie, Dee Yates, Heather Watt
updated December 2024
Love your bio - your fascination with the Iona Community grabbed my attention - we are regulars there as visitors from Australia from whence you came. Our loss. All blessings. Rev Alan Shaw. Lismore (near Byron Bay on the east coast).
ReplyDeleteHappy memories of my childhood in Abington when Dad was station master there and also Sunday school leader. Mum with a merry band of people was always involved in fundraising often at Glengonnar Camp
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I did visit with our Praise Group a few years back when we were with St Andrew's Church West Kilbride. Now we are members of Fairlie Parish Church. Like all we are having recorded services. I loved your thoughts about hot water bottle and flask of coffee when churches were open.
You are so right we are used to having a cuppa when tuning in. I find it quite comforting that people are worshiping in their homes and feel a sense of togetherness in a different way. Now I will picture your church family doing the same. Hopefully one day we will be able to come and share worship with you in person.
Love and Blessings, Christine Dench (nee Chandler )
Thanks for your comments, Christine, and we'd be delighted to see you when we're able to do in person worship again. Blessings to you and yours
DeleteIt's me again. I last posted on the 31st January 2021and was delighted to see my comments still on your website. I have been thinking back over the years probably because we have just celebrated our Golden Wedding. I was interested to see how various churches I have attended including ones in Dunfermline,Abington, Skelmorlie, West Kilbride and now Fairlie were faring with all the changes and challenges they are facing. What a very delightful welcoming website you have and have dipped into a few of your recorded services, which i really enjoyed. They are so lucky to have you Nikki and I send my good wishes and blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteReally lovely to hear from you again, Christine. Congratulations on the Golden wedding anniversary - very impressive!! And thanks for your kind words. And I'd certainly like to repeat my invitation from 2021 - we'd be delighted to see you if you're ever passing this way. Bless you, and yours...
DeleteNikki