Question for any Presbyterian ministers or those in the know.

[derosa]

Has anyone who is a clergy person in the PCUSA here been ordained or witnessed an ordination in the PCUSA?
I will be ordained in a PCUSA church in Nov and was thinking of wearing a kilt for the purpose. I have a muted clergy tartan kilt from Keltoi and cream or green socks along with matching flashes. I didn't know if this would be appropriate with just a clergy shirt/collar and a sporran or if something else should be worn with it or even if it is inappropriate to wear the kilt.

[Tartan Hiker]

OK, I'm not ordained, but I have worked for a PCUSA organization for a quarter century, and attended my share of ordination ceremonies.

A kilt is totally acceptable. Period.

I have no idea about the collar protocol...can you actually wear one before you are ordained is a question to ask an actual clergyman in the PCUSA. I don't recall ever seeing anyone in one at their ordination service, but that may be my faulty memory. Around here the clerical collar is a very rare bird indeed.

I do worry about the "just a shirt" bit. You need to round up a jacket of some sort. The service will not be full-formal, but you also don't want to be the most underdressed in the house, and despite the kilt you'll look underdressed without a jacket.

And for goodness sake, wear the green socks!

[derosa]

Thanks, that gives me a start. I could always pick up a set of black socks, use a black shirt and I have a blue tie that would match the kilt. Coming up with a jacket might be the hard part. Collars are rare on the ground here but I feel they are an important symbol that is disappearing and intend to wear one to any functions after ordination.

[macshorty]

One wouldn't think that the Presbyterian Church would have a problem with kilts, seeing as the denomination was itself started in Scotland.

[macwilkin]

Thanks, that gives me a start. I could always pick up a set of black socks, use a black shirt and I have a blue tie that would match the kilt. Coming up with a jacket might be the hard part. Collars are rare on the ground here but I feel they are an important symbol that is disappearing and intend to wear one to any functions after ordination.

Good on ya. One of the reasons I left the Presbyterian Church was for this very reason; traditions dying and all that...but that's not for here.

The church my mother attended in her Iowa hometown had a dominie that wore a "dog collar" as part of his clerical rig. The Rev. Flint was from Canada originally, and very traditional.

T.

[Howard Clark]

The kilt is fine at PCUSA functions. I am not a minister of word and sacrament, but a serving elder. Kilted full time unless it is a work day involving ladders or digging. Some of the local congregation had trouble with it at first, but they all adjusted fine, and Presbytery staff all love the kilt.

[Kilted Jeeper]

Congrat's on your impending ordainment

[Bill]

First of all a hearty congratulations to you as you are ordained! It is a moment you'll remember vividly for the rest of your life. I wish you a long and happy ministry.

I'm afraid I cannot speak to your kilt question as I'm not familier with the ordinal customs of the Presbytirian Church but I do know that they are very kilt friendly as a whole, so there shouldn't be a problem. Do remember to be circumspect if kneeling is required! LOL!

About the jacket question. Have you considered renting an Argyll and waistcoat for the occasion? The Kilt and Thistle advertize a jacket and waistcoat combination called the Halifax that is priced quite reasonably for purchase.. Check it out at www.kiltandthistle.com

Again Congratulations!

Slainte' M'hath!
Bill

[piperdbh]

Will you not be robed for the ordination? You might need to ask the Session or Presbytery about their usual practice for an ordination service. If you're not robed, you need to wear a jacket over your clerical shirt.

About the collar: in some churches, the stole is the symbol of ordination, not the collar, so you're "legal" wearing the collar before you're ordained.

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, 91tbrick – that is a fine idea, being ordained in a kilt.
I look forward to pictures of the occasion.
Congratulations on completing your studies.
Regards,
Mike