First St. Andrews' Dinner

**Bill** · 7th November 04, 03:59 PM

I attended my first St. Andrews' Dinners last night, sadly I was constrained to go alone as my wife Sibyl had to work.

I had a great time though.

It was a real treat to enjoy all the festivities and get to know new people and I got to do it all kilted. I had my first haggis and

I liked it. We were entertained by a celtic dance group who were simply awesome! I only wish I had 1% of the energy they have
there is no telling what I might accomplish (Perhaps catch up to Graham in posts?). We also had the "Heather and Thistle Pipe and Drum Band" from the Fargo/Moorhead area which was a real treat to listen to. Another plus is that I now have been in a kilt since early yesterday afternoon (I left the trousers AT HOME!

). All my encounters outside of the dinner were non events. I did have one lady at the motel where I stayed look me over from head to toe and then exchanged greetings with me but made no comment on my attire.
I finished my stay in Fargo by attending the Annual Kirking of the Tartan which was a soul touching event for me. "All in all not bad. Not bad at all"

Thanks for letting me share. I know this was a little windy.

Slainthe Mhath' to all!

Bill

**GMan** · 7th November 04, 04:41 PM

Bill,

Sorry that your wife wasn't with you, but am glad that you had a great time! The energy these type of events generate are wonderful.

Hope that you can stay kilted a bit more.

**Riverkilt** · 7th November 04, 05:34 PM

Sounds wonderful Bill,

You got me to wondering about what all that was and a quick Google search turned up a great website from a Presbyterian Church up in St. Thomas Ontario that posts great pictures of their Kirking of the Tartan along with Amazing Grace on the pipes.

Great way to get a quick education and check out a LOT of kilted folks.

http://www.execulink.com/~knoxkirk/Kirking6.htm

Ron

**Bill** · 7th November 04, 05:55 PM

Hey thanks Ron!

The pictures were great one of my favorites was the tartan covered Sabots --

Bill

**macwilkin** · 7th November 04, 06:04 PM

Our (The Springfield St. Andrew's Society) Kirkin' was held last night at my home parish, St. John's Episcopal Church. We had about 80 folks in attendance, and about 15 lads in kilts -- a good turn-out overall.

For those who may not be familiar with the Kirkin' service, here is a brief history from the St. Louis St. Andrew's Society web site:

For native Scots arriving in the USA, the tradition of "Kirkin' o' the Tartans" is something of a surprise. It seems as if we should know all about it, yet we don't. For years I thought "how could I have missed this as a youth?" Recently, I learned about the origins from the Rev. Jim Flom who credits a George Murdock with the following explanation:

The ceremony had its beginning in America with the St Andrew’s Society of Washington, DC during the early years of WW II. Dr. Peter Marshall, a native Scot, was Pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC, from October 3, 1937 to his death January 25, 1949. He was also Chaplain of the US Senate and a member of the St Andrew’s Society. He spoke many times in support of the British War Relief. His sermons were popular, and when, in response to requests, they were printed, proceeds from sales were designated for relief programs in Britain. When asked for a title to his sermon of May 2, 1943, Dr. Marshall suggested the name, "Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans".

During World War II, the St Andrew’s Society of Washington began to hold services of prayer for the subjects of Britain. These services continued in the Washington area and soon came to be known as "the Kirkin’", an annual event of the Society. Today the ceremony is held in the Washington National Cathedral each year on a Sunday near St Andrew’s Day. Today, throughout this great country of ours, we Scots celebrate the Kirkin’ on the Sunday after most, if not all, of the Highland Games held in the States. Many churches hold their own Kirkin’s around St Andrew's Day and/or any other Sunday of the year they so choose.

In most Kirkin’ services the Clan Banners are carried in procession by Clansmen in Scottish attire into the sanctuary led by at least one Piper playing "Scotland the Brave" and at a given point during the service, the tartans are blessed in recognition of our heritage.

The service is briefly as follows: The Beadle (leader) commands "Gentlemen raise your tartans". All Clansmen respond, in a loud voice, "We raise these tartans to Almighty God". It is then declared, by the Beadle or his appointee, "On behalf of all Clans represented here today, we raise these tartans to Almighty God in appreciation of our heritage and ask His blessings on His servants. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen". The Minister then offers a prayer of dedication. At the end of the prayer the recessional commences with the Piper(s) playing and the congregation singing "Amazing Grace" as the tartans are processed out of the sanctuary.

Please note that the service did NOT orginate after the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 when the wearing of tartan (Save the military) was proscribed by law -- the Kirkin' is truly a Scottish-American (and now Scottish-expat) service.

Be sure to wear your kilt on November 30th -- St. Andrew's Day!

ST. ANDREW AND OUR RIGHT!

Todd

**Hamish** · 7th November 04, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bill

We were entertained by a celtic dance group who were simply awesome!

Bill

Bill,

Those events can be absolutely fantastic and I hope you get to enjoy many more, such as Burns Nicht in the new year.

When you say "celtic dance group" do you mean Scottish or Irish - they are very different! I have done years of Scottish Country Dance work - Highland Dance too - both for social pleasure and for display and exhibition events - and I know just how exhausting it can be. You saw only the finished, polished performance but hours of practice and rehearsal would have been put in by the dancers before you saw them.

I wish I were doing it nowadays.

**bubba** · 7th November 04, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by episcopalscot

Be sure to wear your kilt on November 30th -- St. Andrew's Day!

ST. ANDREW AND OUR RIGHT!

Todd

That'll nae be hard laddie.

**Bill** · 7th November 04, 03:59 PM