The Laughing Wolf

Kirking O’ Th Tartans

Sunday brought a real treat to several members of my Clan: A Kirking. This is a special church (Kirk) service which includes (usually) a procession of the tartans and a special blessing of the tartans. Despite my non-Christian status, such things are soothing and good for the soul, and this one even more so.

The church itself was quite nice and the people very warm and friendly. The preacher is from Scotland, as apparently are several members of the congregation. The sermon was quite good, though I must admit that with his voice he could have stood up and read the phone book and it would have sounded beautiful.

The Kirking went very well, and it was great to see so many in kilts and kilt dresses, as well as just wearing family tartan as scarves and such. After the service, there was a special luncheon of beef stew – or haggis. The haggis was very tasty, and some of the best I’ve had in the U.S. In fact, they overbought so we were sent home with about five pounds of it. More on that later, and for those squeamish, just think of it as either lamb sausage or lamb pate.

The wonderful thing happened afterwards. There was a ring of the doorbell, and there was a lady from the church, who simply came by to say thank you for visiting and taking part. She presented a pound cake and a magnet with the church’s information on it, and said she hoped to see us again soon. I’ve not seen that type of hospitality outside some of the country churches in rural middle-Georgia in the 60s, and it warmed the heart. Though I am not a Christian, I felt at home enough that I would have no problem going back for a visit or two, and not just for a Kirking.

LW