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A' na Sgortaibh
Calling All Scots! Save the Date!
Kirkin' O' the Tartan
May 18th
We will celebrating Kirkn’ O’ the Tartan on May 18th. There will be a covered dish lunch, including strawberry shortcake, immediately following the worship service. We will be asking for reservations to be made by completing the form in the bulletin or calling the church office.
A brief history:
- Kirk is the Scottish word for church. Kirkin’ is a blessing. Each tartan with its distinctive patterns represents specific Scottish clans, families, regions and regiments.
- The ceremony originated in the United States, though it is based on Scottish history.
After Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scotland was once again under British rule. An act was passed to control the Scots and they were forbidden to carry arms or wear kilts or tartans that represented Scottish Heritage. This prompted the stubborn Scots to secretly carry a piece of tartan when they went to the kirk
and the minister would slip a kirkin’ into the service.
After 50 years the act was repealed and the Church of Scotland celebrated with a Service of Family Covenant. The tartan of each family was offered as a covenant expression of the Lord’s blessing. The first kirkin’ ceremony in the United States originated with the later Peter Marshall, the famed pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and chaplain to the US Senate 1947-1949. The purpose of the kirkin' was to raise funds to aid Scottish churches during World War II. The idea grew and many Presbyterian churches continue to have Kirkin' services to celebrate.
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