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12:00 PM -
After the Massed bands Veterans parade
“Kirk” is a Scottish word meaning “church,” and in
Scotland it usually means the Church of Scotland – the
Presbyterian Church. As a church which is part of the
Reformed Tradition, we hold to an essential tenant of
the faith that it is our calling in life to glorify God
and to serve God forever. The central act in which we do
this is worship, which is the center of our existence
and at the heart for our reason for being.
The first Kirkin’ in the United States was held by the
Scottish-born Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, Dr. Peter
Marshall, who was minister of the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. The date was
April 27, 1941. Since 1954, the St. Andrew’s Society in
Washington has sponsored it, and it has been held in the
Washington Cathedral.
Of those of us who would prefer to think that the
American Kirkin’ does have its roots in Scottish
history, there is some rather sketchy evidence. After
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces were defeated in 1745,
the wearing of the tartan and the playing of the bagpipe
were forbidden in Scotland for many years. It is said
that during those years some clansman wore pieces of
tartan material concealed on their persons to the Kirk.
At some point in the service, they would touch the
hidden tartans, and ministers would give a blessing.
Like many good legends, if this is not true, it should
be. |
