Kirkin' O' Tartan 2004
 

Origins of The Kirkin' O' Tartan
  

    The Kirkin' o' The Tartan has its origins in the eighteenth century. After the Jacobites under Bonnie Prince Charlie were defeated at the battle of Culloden in 1745, the British Parliament passed the Parliamentary Act of 1746 which banned the kilt and every other tartan garment in an effort to destroy Highland Clan identity.

   Not easily deterred defiant Scots secretly carried remnants of their tartans to church. The ministers would then add a blessing into the service for the tartans and the clans they represented.

 

Kirk" is a Scottish
word meaning church.

    St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and is celebrated on November 30 each year. St. Andrew died in service to Christ and he, too, was crucified but on an "X" shaped cross. It is a symbol that can be seen in many Scottish crests and, of course, the national flag of Scotland, the Saltire.

   During the Kirking, which uses some of the Scottish Church form, a display of clan tartans is presented for blessing. Swatches of individual clan tartans are offered, rededicating to God's service the family members identified by the particular tartan.
Despite freezing temperatures & snow on the surrounding hills, members& friends of St. George's, gather in the Circle Garden to celebrate the Kirkin'
Members of the UCR Pipe Band provided authetic Scotish music for the Kirkin' Celebration.
      The first Kirking in the United States was held by Scottish-born Chaplain of the US Senate, Dr. Peter Marshall, who was minister of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC The date was April 27, 1941.
 
The Reverend Canon Victoria T. Hatch, sports
her clan colors as she watches the festivities.
  
One of the Highlights of Kirkin' at St. Georges's are the Highland Games and the partaking of traditional Scotish Bangers that follow the service.