Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Service

On Sunday, May 4, we celebrated a Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service. Below are photos from the service.

In Scotland, the events leading to the Proscription Act of 1746 made it illegal to wear or even display the tartan, (A tartan is a woolen cloth woven in one of several patterns of plaid, especially of a design associated with a particular Scottish clan) much less play the bagpipes or sing Highland songs. Yet the Scotsfolks remained determined to hold fast to their ancient identities. To that end, an “underground” Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans would often be held. The Clans would usually walk to their nearest Kirk (church) in an orderly fashion, secretly carrying swatches of the material to be “kirked.” Then, at a time a pre–arranged signal known only to both clergy and parishioners, the Clans people would hold their tiny bits, while the presiding minister blessed the cloth in fluent Scottish Gaelic.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) finds its roots in Scotland and it is in the spirit of this tradition that we will have this service. We invite those with Scottish decent to come dressed in their family plaid with a piece of the tartan to be blessed. In the spirit of our unity in diversity, we also invite people to wear dress of their family country of origin and bring a piece of fabric from their native land to be blessed.