Kirkin the tartans

The skies were bright blue this morning and there was a crispness to the temperature which let you know it was Autumn. I woke up early and made salmon dip and a chicken dish made with Drambuie, a Scottish liquour. After we all got cleaned up this morning, we adorned our church clothing with the McKay tartan.

When we got to church, we could see several members of the congregation out front, wearing kilts of various clans. There was a piper, holding his bagpipes in readiness. We walked over to fellowship hall and left the salmon dip and the drambuie chicken for Sunday dinner after services.

Afterward, we entered the sanctuary and saw the tartan banners hanging on the walls. Toward the back was the McKay banner, with a note on the pew for Kate to sit next to the banner. Later, as I went back into the choir room to get dressed for services, Kate took the banner and entered the narthex with the rest of the celebrants for the beginning of services.

We were waiting in the choir room, listening to the flautist and harpist playing the prelude. When the finished, we entered the choir loft and sat down. Suddenly, the sanctuary was filled with the sounds of bagpipe music, playing "Be Thou My Vision." The piper entered, followed by a member, wearing a kilt, and holding a wooden cross. Then came another kilted member with an old Bible, then the ministers and elders, followed by various members of the congregation carrying the tartan banners. At the end was Shelley McKay, carrying the McKay banner.

During the service, we had harp and flute duets, a recitation of the old Scottish creed, an anthem based on a gaelic rune by John Rutter. Afterwards, the celebrants left the sanctuary with the bagpipes. We left also and went to supper. People seemed to like my chicken. Afterwards, we went to the field next door and held "highland games" for the children. It was a bright, sunny day, getting warmer.

Toward the end of the service, I couldn't help but think about dad. I thought he really would have enjoyed the special service. The 'kirkin of the tartans' is a celebration, in our church, of our traditions and heritage. We look back to our beginnings. and remember our families and their place in our lives. I have been thinking about all of those family members ever since. This was a day to celebrate the past, enjoy the present, and consider the future. There seemed to be more little girls and boys with red hair and blue eyes today than normal. Maybe it was just me.

As the old year slowly dies, the new one confronts us with all of its promise and opportunities.