FALL 2011 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS Don Withrow, President Dear Members, Is Retaining and Growing Our Membership

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SCOTTISH ST. ANDREW SOCIETY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS FALL 2011 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS Don Withrow, President Dear Members, is retaining and growing our membership. This is a WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: problem with many causes and no easy solution and Derek and Nicole Bean I would like to thank you for entrusting me with the will require the efforts of not only the board but the Bryan and Laura Dent office of President for the coming year. We have a general membership as well. As a starting point I have Simon Duffy strong and talented board that is already hard at work asked each board member to recruit at least two new Jeremy and Anna (Duffy) on Society business. Each of us on the board is excited members this year. I would like to challenge each society Goldsmith about the coming year and look forward to meeting and member to do the same. Only with a growing and active Stephen and Kara Holland talking with each of you at Society activities. membership will we be able to fulfill the goals and Stewart and Julie McLaren mission of the Scottish St. Andrew Society. Norma Nowotny Since at least the 1960’s the phenomena of dwindling Nick and Rose Sarno Robert Sarno membership has been one that has vexed all social Best regards, and cultural organizations. While our society faces Don Withrow may challenges this year, perhaps the most important ESCRIPT COMMUNITY CARD SCOTTISH GAMES & CULTURAL FESTIVAL —SUPPORT US— Jim McLaren, Chairman SLSG The Board continues to The weather was brilliant, the crowd was large, the 200 years. With the colorful Clan tartans and the request all members get an competitors were giving it their best, and the volunteers memorable sound of the massed pipe-bands, it’s a eScript Community Card were as dedicated as ever – what a great time we all had moment in time when we can all share the proud from your local Schnuck’s at the 9th Annual Scottish Games and Cultural Festival heritage of Scotland, right here in Missouri. In to support your St Andrew which was held in Forest Park. addition to enjoying the more formal events, the kids Society. Schnuck’s will had an exciting time with many activities of their contribute up to 3% of your purchases to our society. own, adding to the family nature of the festivities. There’s a small card to keep Throughout the day there was also an opportunity on your key chain. Every to sample some great Scottish food with a range of time you shop at Schnuck’s, beverages (including a nice Schlafly Scottish ale), and ask the clerk to swipe your find some unique gifts from a wide range of vendors. eScript card. Creating this world-class modern version of the ancient Register your eScript traditions requires a lot of background work and card on-line at www.schnucks.com or by financial support. We have a great team that works call 1-800-931-6258. Our hard year-long to plan, generate, and present this to our group ID# is 500025559, or St Louis Gathering. Many thanks are due to the SLSG you can look us up on-line. Board members, Committee chairs, volunteers, and The attendees enjoyed many spectacular events that participants. And, a great big special thanks to all our included the wonderful skills of the dancers, athletes, donors, sponsors, and Friends of the Games. pipers, drummers, sword fighters, storytellers, clan YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT COULD historians, and folk musicians (with stars Ed Miller, Jil Who wouldn’t have a good time at the Scottish Games? APPEAR HERE! Chambless, and Scooter Muse). The Scottish-American Watch out for the notices about next year’s Scottish Games. Military Society provided the color guard. On the main This column is for all Founded in 2000, St. Louis Scottish Games (SLSG) members. Anyone who field there were birds of prey, Scottish breed dog parades, is a registered not-for-profit, charitable organization has an announcement a colorful Clan parade, a torchlight ceremony, and a germane to our society’s family favorite performance where the sheepdogs herd committed to cultural and educational exchange mission please send it to the sheep. On the athletic field we had the current World between the peoples of Scotland and America, and to the editor Steve Nichols at champion, a past World champion, and a new World the management of a first-class Games and Festival in [email protected] record set when the sheaf was thrown over a bar 38 feet the St. Louis area. high. Logan College provided a beautiful crystal bowl for SLSG was created as a spin-off from the Scottish St. the Athlete of the Day. Andrew Society of Greater St. Louis as one of the visionary goals of the Society at that time. Today, the This Gathering is a celebration of a rich cultural heritage independent SLSG is managed by a team that remains that originated in Scotland, and has been carried here committed to the success of both organizations. to America, by thousands of immigrants over the past The Scottish St. Andrew Society of Greater St. Louis | 636.577.1696 | www.stlstandrews.org A BRIEF HISTORY: LUING THE KIRKIN’ O’ THE TARTANS –A Poem by Don Paterson– Steve Nichols, Editor, adapted from an article written by David Leslie White, Chieftain, Clan Leslie Society International When the day comes, as On or around Reformation Sunday (the last Sunday in • Message – Chaplain the day surely must, October), many Protestant churches across the United • Prayers – Chaplain when it is asked of States celebrate Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans. The Kirkin’ of • The Lord’s Prayer – All you, and you refuse the Tartans Ceremony was created by the Rev. Peter • Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans – Clan representatives carry to take that lover’s Marshall on April 27, 1941 at the New York Avenue lengths (or flags) of tartans forward to the altar rail wound again, that cup Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Dr. Marshall and the Chaplain says a few words about the of emptiness that is our was the chaplain of the US Senate and was trying to Scottish heritage and gives a blessing. one completion, I’d say instill pride in their homeland among the Scots living in • Necrology (deceased by organization/clan since go here, maybe, to our the USA. The ceremony was later held in Presbyterian the last such event) – Chaplain unsung innermost isle: churches across the USA. • Flowers of the Forest – Piper Kilda’s antithesis, • Blessing – Chaplain yet still with its own tiny It did not gain popularity until after the first International • Hymn, O God Our Help in Ages past – All stubborn anthem, Gathering of the Clans in Nova Scotia in 1979. This • Dismissal by Chaplain and Recession to pipes its yellow milkwort and its Kirkin’ service is not limited to Presbyterian churches, stunted kye. but is often found in other Protestant services as well So, while not an ancient Scottish ceremony per se, the Leaving the motherland as Roman Catholic services. However, this ceremony is Kirkin’, as a Scottish-American ceremony, celebrates not by a two-car raft, not known to be held in any church in Scotland. only the family heritage of the descendants of Scottish the littlest of the fleet, you immigrants to the United States and Canada, but also the cross the minch Basically the service is to bless the tartans and the friendship of our three nations. to find yourself, if families that they represent. Also, part of the service may anything, now deeper include ‘Flowers of the Forest’, a reading of the names in her arms than ever — of members who passed away during the previous year. sharing her breath, While there are variations, the service commences with watching the red vans a processional: following the entrance of light and the sliding silently between Word, a piper or small pipe band marches down the her hills. In such intimate center aisle, followed by members, usually in Scottish exile, who’d believe the attire, carrying the Saltire flag and tartans on poles. The burn behind the house service is usually similar to the below: the straitened ocean written on the map? While each Kirkin’ service has its own particular Here, beside the fordable characteristics, The Capitol Scot web site gives a very Atlantic, reborn into a “typical” order of worship for a Kirkin’ that was held at secret candidacy, the Virginia Highland Games in July, 2005: the fontanelles reopen one by one in the palms, • Procession to Pipes then the breastbone and • Hymn, God of Grace and Glory – All the brow, aching at the • Opening Prayer – Chaplain shearwater’s wail, the • Reading, Proverbs 3:1–6 – Designated Reader #1 rowan that falls beyond • Hymn Response, My Shepherd Will Supply – All all seasons. One morning • Epistle, 2 Timothy 3:14–17 – Designated Reader #2 you hover on the • Hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every blessing – All threshold, knowing for • Gospel, Matthew 9:9–13 – Chaplain certain the first touch of St. Bride’s Kirk on grounds of Blair Castle the light will finish you. HONORING ST. ANDREW “Luing” copyright Rev. Millie Slack, Chaplain 2005 by Don Paterson. Reprinted from The feast day of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is people. It is said that Andrew, when he was crucified, hung “Landing Light” with the celebrated on November 30. He is also the patron saint of on a diagonal cross for three days. In spite of his pain and permission of Greece, Romania, Russia, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate agony, he continued to preach, attempting to bring souls to Graywolf Press.

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