St. Andrew’s Society of Atlanta’s
Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church Alpharetta, Georgia
February 18, 2007

Frank Shaw and Bill Harris

I was asked by Bill Harris, former president of the society, to deliver the Prayer of Remembrance for our kirkin’ service. It is my pleasure to share the 2007 prayer with our readers. There was a large contingency of St. Andrew’s members who participated in the service dressed in their clan tartans. The minister, Dr. Joel Alvis, spoke eloquently about Scots settling in North Carolina around the Cape Fear River in what is now Cumberland and Bladen Counties. Piper John Recknagel piped flag bearers in and out of the service. A reception for our society and church members was held in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.

Simply put, the kirkin’ was a time of happiness!  

2007 Prayer of Remembrance

O Lord,
With grateful hearts we come to Thee
Thankful for your presence,
Reminded of your love,
Conscious of your guiding hand.

Comfort us with good thoughts
Of those Scottish men and women
Who left behind families and friends to
  find new life in a strange wilderness.

Help us in these modern times
To be as our ancestors were in days of yore,
mindful of your love,
grateful for your protection,
 full of love for all mankind, not just Scots or Presbyterians.

Guide us as you guided our ancestors
Who craved out a living with their bare hands,
Who read your holy word by candle light,
Who bowed and prayed by their hearth and bed,
Seeking your help, searching for your healing.

Give us the vision our Scottish forefathers had
To be men and women of God,
Proud to salute our saltire,
Proud to wear our plaid,
Proud to hoist our tartan.
We are thankful for these symbols of our Scottishness.

Help us to realize that prayer
is as natural as breathing,
allowing us to pray at home,
on the job,
or when alone,
Knowing that prayer is the oxygen of our spiritual lives

Be with us, O Lord,
Protect us from whatever dreams we are pursuing
Or whatever demons we are fleeing,
And we thank you for not treating us as we deserve.

Forgive us for trying to make you into our own likeness;
And help us to realize you are capable
of re-hanging the moon and stars
in the darkest midnight of our lives,
In the Strong Name of Christ we pray,

Amen.

Frank R. Shaw
February 18, 2007
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church

(L-R) Richard Graham*, Kate Graham*, Bill Harris*, Piper John Recknagel, Sue Wallace, Don Malcolm, Dr. Joel Alvis (Senior Minister), Jeff Harbin (Director of Music and Organist), Doug Grey*, Frank R. Shaw. (* denotes former presidents of St. Andrew's Society. Shaw  is current president.)