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ABOUT KIRKINEvery year St. Simons Presbyterian Church celebrates our Scottish Presbyterian Heritage with a Kirkin o' the Tartan Service. We will be lead by a guest speaker, a “Blessing of the Tartans,” and a large procession involving flags, Scottish banners, pipes and drums with the First Coast Highlanders.
When: January 26, 2025 Time: 8:30AM & 10:30AM Where: Sanctuary Attention Tartan Donors: We are excited to see all of your tartans decorating our sanctuary space! Please contact Suzanne Morrison at 912-996-5462 or [email protected] by January 17 if you plan to carry your tartan at either the 8:30 or 10:30 service on January 26! If we do not hear from you, we will either pre-hang our tartan or find a volunteer to carry it. If you would like to volunteer to carry a tartan for a family who is unable, please signup below & Suzanne will get in touch with you. KIRKIN' HISTORY
"'Kirk' is the Scottish word for "church. Tartans, with their distinctive plaid, represent specific Scottish clans, regions, or regiments. The "Kirkin' O' The Tartans" is the presentation of a Scottish family's symbol, its tartan, at church for blessing. After Bonnie Prince Charlie's Scottish forces were defeated by the English in 1746 in the Battle of Culloden, the wearing of tartans and the playing of bagpipes were forbidden in Scotland for many years. Wearing or displaying of tartans was punishable by death. During those years, some Scots wore concealed pieces of their tartan when they attended church. At a particular point in the worship service, they would secretly touch their hidden tartan cloth, and the minister would offer a blessing. The first formal "Kirkin" in America was conducted at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., in 1941. Their minister at the time was Dr. Peter Marshall, born in Scotland, who was also Chaplain of the United States Senate." Source: First Presbyterian Church, Greenwood Missippi
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