A Kirkin' O' the Tartan in CA

[Sherry]

Church honors Scottish heritage
Bob Brownne

Tracy Press

First Presbyterian Church on Berverdor Avenue revived a bit of its Scottish heritage Sunday with a worship service dedicated to the cloth that helped unite a nation.

The “Kirkin O’ the Tartan” is an 18th-century tradition that was reborn 200 years later in the United States. It’s a chance for people to bring forth the woven cloth that represents their families for a blessing from the church.

Native Scot Stuart Rafferty noted the irony of a tradition that has taken hold in Tracy while it remains relatively obscure in its homeland.

“We lived in Scotland and never knew about it until we came here,” he said. “It’s one of those magic cultures:

Scots that leave the country know more about the culture than those in the country.”

Tartan is the material used in kilts, scarves and other articles of clothing. Unlike ordinary plaid, each strand of dyed wool in a tartan’s pattern represents a clan or region.

“It’s your name. It’s your heritage,” said bagpiper Phil McGill, whose tartan represents Clan McDonald and his own ancestors. “Everyone should be interested in their heritage no matter where they’re from. That’s what makes America great.”

Interim Pastor Don Smith’s collar included the tartan from Clan Rose, which adopted him when he was a minister in Garden Grove. As others set scarves on the communion table, Jim Rhodes set down a tie representing his ancestry, Clan Lamont, for his brother in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

“I had my brother send me his tie, got it blessed, and now I’ll send it back,” he said.

Between 1746 and 1782, as the English response to the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, the Disarming Act outlawed all symbols of Scottish unity, including kilts and tartans. Scots were forbidden to carry any weapons. Even bagpipes were banned.

Scots continued to conceal small pieces of their tartans in their clothing or in between pages of their Bibles.

In this way, the Scottish clergy blessed their congregations’ families and heritage in spite of English law.

During his sermon, Smith said this helped preserve the Scottish national identity and affirmed God as the ruler of all men, including the king of England.

The tradition was revived in the U.S. in 1943 as a way to encourage people of Scottish heritage to join the war effort and fight for their ancestral homeland.

• To reach reporter Bob Brownne, call 830-4227 or e-mail brownne@ tracypress.com.
http://www.tracypress.com/local/2005-11-14-chruch.php


I am still not convinced this was ever a Scottish tradition, but it's still a nice one.

Sherry

[macwilkin]

I am still not convinced this was ever a Scottish tradition, but it's still a nice one.

It's not, Sherry. The real history behind the Kirkin' Service dates to the Second World War, when Rev. Peter Marshall, Pastor of the New York Ave. Presbyterian Church and an immigrant from Coatbridge, Scotland, used the service as a way to raise funds for British War relief. Dr. Marshall was a member of the Washington DC St. Andrew's Society, and the service was picked up by them -- first held at Dr. Marshall's church, it was soon being held at the National Cathederal. It is a Scottish-American church parade.

Cheers,

Todd

[Cawdorian]

The Kirkin' service will be held at our Presbyterian Church next Sunday, it is always a great event. After the service we will have a lunch complete with Haggis. Everyone enjoys the service, it is always well attended.

We have the Parade of Tartan's as the processional. I will be there with my kilt and argyle on (worn properly, of course) carrying one of the banners. It is a great time to wear the kilt and celebrate our heritage.

[Prester John]

Our Kirkin' will take place on Nov 30th at 7pm.

More information will be forthcoming shortly, but it will be broadcast live on the internet.

If you've never heard an Orthodox service, you'll be in for a treat. Pipe Major Tim Wiley of the Akron and District Pipe Band will be playing the pipes for us.

More, including how to listen live, soon.

[Schultz]

Bless, Father!

What type of service will you be using? Is it an adaptation of the various services already out there, or will it be an adaptation of an Orthodox service?

[Prester John]

Well as you know, we don't adapt what others do. We do what we do.

It will be a Service of Thanksgiving (Molieben) with Blessing.

[Schultz]

As I figured!

Can't wait to hear it!

[Sherry]

It's not, Sherry. The real history behind the Kirkin' Service dates to the Second World War, when Rev. Peter Marshall, Pastor of the New York Ave. Presbyterian Church and an immigrant from Coatbridge, Scotland, used the service as a way to raise funds for British War relief. Dr. Marshall was a member of the Washington DC St. Andrew's Society, and the service was picked up by them -- first held at Dr. Marshall's church, it was soon being held at the National Cathederal. It is a Scottish-American church parade.

Cheers,

Todd

Yes, I was pretty sure the Peter Marshall story was the correct one. Which is fine with me, as I already had great respect for him via his wife's writings.

Sherry

[Bil]

RATS!!! Had I known I'd have attended! I only live about 20 minutes from there. What a bummer!

Oh well, maybe next year. Anyone know of a St. Andrew's day service in Nor-Cal?