Kirkin' of the Tartan

**bluedude32K01** · 8th July 14, 08:39 PM

Hello all. I think I may have arrived on this site in errror, but the more I peruse the forums and what-not, the more it feels like some form of ancestral home. The reason I made my first contact was a result of a search I began elsewhere. I had requested Kirkin' O the Tartan information and this was one of the referees. In truth, I am trying to obtain as many copies of Kirkin' Of the Tartan worship services I can so that I can utilise the various compnents putting together a service for the congregation I am working with here in New Glasgow, NS. I have recently retired from active ministry in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. And I realise this may be a terrible confession, but throughout my ministry of 35 + years, I had not been asked to conduct one such service. Thus, if there are any clergy here that can forward a service for a Kirkin' of the Tartan, I'd be more than pleased to receive it or them. There is a bit of a deadline on this for me. I found out about the service Sunday-past, and the service will take place on July 20th. So...Thanks for any help you can offer.

**Hawk** · 8th July 14, 11:41 PM

Welcome to the XMTS Community bluedude......

Im sure there will be someone like Father Bill along any minute to assist you in your endeavor......

Hawk

**Chas** · 9th July 14, 01:43 AM

Hello bluedude,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 9th July 14, 01:54 AM

Welcome to the forum Bluedude.

Happy to help with liturgy but Kirkin o' the Tartan is, perhaps surprisingly, not a Scottish tradition in Scotland!

**Spartan Tartan** · 9th July 14, 02:20 AM

from Rhode Island. I'm sure someone will be able to assist you. It's incredible how diverse and knowledgeable this group is.

**Father Bill** · 9th July 14, 04:04 AM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

I have one here having just returned from one last Sunday. Easiest if you send me a PM with a fax number & I'll get you a full copy.

**rtown** · 9th July 14, 04:37 AM

Hello and Welcome

**GMan** · 9th July 14, 04:46 AM

Greetings! Glad that you found us.

**JohntheBiker** · 9th July 14, 06:12 AM

Welcome from Toronto. Looks like you came to the right place with your question.

**plaid preacher** · 9th July 14, 07:02 AM

Greetings, Richard. (there is not anonymity on the internet) Robert Adams here. And I have several copies of various Kirkin' services I can send your way. Don't feel badly about having never done one before. I hadn't until asked to participate in a Kirkin' service at the Fredericton Highland Games.

As pointed out by MacRoberts the Kirkin' of the Tartan is a particularly North American ( and really a US thing) celebration of roots. When I was asked to participate, I contact the Church of Scotland to see if they had any resources, which, of course, they did not. You may have already come across the following, but for those who may not have, the history I was able to uncover is that the Kirkin' service was first begun by the renowned Rev. Peter Marshall during the Second World War, as a way to build support for the war effort among the Scottish diaspora in the US. It has become popular now in various locations throughout North America, and perhaps even in Australia (someone else will have to let in on that, but I do believe I have seen reference of services down under).

Anyway, if this is who I think it is, just let me know and I will get your address from the A&P and mail what I have. If you are not who I think you are, a PM will keep your secret safe. :-)