The Scotsman. Kirkin' O' the Tartans April 29, st Presbyterian Church Vero Beach, FL. Scottish Society of the Treasure Coast 9 AM & 11 AM

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Scottish Society of the Treasure Coast The Scotsman V O L U M E V I I I S S U E V A P R 2 0 1 8 - M A Y 2 0 1 8 Kirkin' O' the Tartans April 29, 2018 1st Presbyterian Church Vero Beach, FL Iona Abbey

Kirk is the Scottish word for church and a tartan is the crisscross-patterned fabric, usually wool, that clan families use to distinguish themselves from other clan families.

Peter Marshall, Pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and later Chaplain to the United States Senate. His sermon title that evening was Kirkin o the Tartan.

1 Scottish Society of the Treasure Coast The Scotsman V O L U M E V I I I S S U E V A P R M A Y Kirkin' O' the Tartans April 29, st Presbyterian Church Vero Beach, FL Iona Abbey & St. John s Cross 9 AM & 11 AM Celebrating Our Scottish Heritage W hat does Kirkin O The Tartans mean? A loose translation would be blessing of the tartans or blessing of the families. Kirk is the Scottish word for church and a tartan is the crisscross-patterned fabric, usually wool, that clan families use to distinguish themselves from other clan families. Tartans provide a visual link to clan identity and heritage. Worshippers gathered 77 years ago on Sunday evening April 27, 1941 in Washington D.C. at a special service led by the Rev. Peter Marshall, Pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and later Chaplain to the United States Senate. His sermon title that evening was Kirkin o the Tartan. Designed to raise funds, this Kirkin service sought to aid Scottish churches during the early days of World War II, as well as the British war effort, by providing a mobile kitchen, according to the church bulletin. This initial, simple service later evolved into what is today the Kirkin o the Tartan held in many locations around the world. Since 1954, an annual Kirkin o' the Tartan has been held at the National Cathedral in the nation s capital. Today, Kirkin o the Tartan worship services are celebrated by numerous Scottish heritage groups and churches. Most services are held in Presbyterian churches though you will find them in Episcopalian, Methodist, Catholic and even Orthodox churches. Continued on Page 2

2 From the President s Desk Easter was early this year so many of our members are now heading North for the summer season. On behalf of your Board of Directors, should you be leaving the Treasure Coast until fall, we wish you, your family and friends the most pleasant of times and look forward to seeing you in the fall. Our final Society program this season is the Kirkin O the Tartans on April 29th at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. This Kirkin will be observed at both the 9:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M services and are very grateful to the Presbyterian Church for inviting us to participate in this very important celebration of Scottish heritage. The services begin with a procession of the clans along with the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums playing Scotland the Brave. The Society will be carrying and displaying our many clan banners. If you are able to attend, please consider wearing your clan tartans as each clan will have the opportunity to be recognized and if you would like to carry one of the banners, let us know when you arrive at the church. (An article on the history of the Kirkin O the Tartan is included in the newsletter.) Also, we are delighted to note last month s Tea with the theme "America the Beautiful was again this year a great success with a very large attendance. A Tip of the Tam to the hard work and the dedication of our many volunteers without which this Tea would not be possible. Your attention is directed to a fundraiser we are sponsoring in support of the Veterans Council of Indian River County. This auction is for a very beautiful painting America the Beautiful by Sheila Lougheed. The funds raised will help support our veterans and other Society programs. Please contact Capt. Bruce A. Cady, Director of Operations, cell: , office: or Joyce Smith, if you would like more information. We always welcome your recommendations on how to make our great society even greater. Next year will be our 24th year and your ideas are very appreciated on what you would like to see in our future programs and activities. Again, may your days ahead be with Scottish mirth and delight. To borrow a Scottish quote which has been cited before, Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life. Yours Aye, Roy Thompson, President Continued from Page 1 However, in the tradition of the Scottish Covenanters in southwest Scotland - Rev. Marshall s home - they are even held outdoors at Highland Games. Legend has the Kirkin originating in Scotland in the mid-18th century, following the Battle of Culloden, where the English army totally overpowered the Scots. To prevent future uprisings, the English Parliament and monarchy banned the Scots from carrying weapons, speaking Gaelic, wearing Highland dress and playing the pipes. This ban lasted 35 years until The legend has it that clansmen would carry small pieces of the banned tartan cloth into the local parish kirk to have the clergy bless the clan family represented by the tartan. In early history, clans were primarily a gathering of peoples for their protection and for economic, political and social support. They were not necessarily related by blood. Specific tartans developed simply because each area liked to weave a certain design using local natural dyes. Why then do we celebrate clans and tartans? It is because the clansmen demonstrated true brotherhood and the clan was the family. The tartan is a symbol of this love and togetherness. In our Kirkin service, we remember ancient times as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God s help and blessings in the future. 2

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Dave Owens Bagpiper For All Occasions Cell: 732-233-2581 Member of the Vero Beach Pipes & Drums Peter Dobson, President 825 13th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960 www.scotsamerican.

8 Dave Owens Bagpiper For All Occasions Cell: Member of the Vero Beach Pipes & Drums Peter Dobson, President th Lane Vero Beach, FL Phone: Helen Rattray Crockett, AFIS th Street, Suite 110, Vero Beach, FL The Monthly Tartan Quiz This month s tartan is very apropos for the Kirkin. It represents the Kirk (church) where the Scots smuggled their tartans to have clergy bless the clan families represented by the different tartans. The Church of Scotland Tartan was created just last year. The colors chosen reflect the Burning Bush in the Bible, the Scottish Saltire and the beautiful Scottish landscape. Society Directors President - Roy Thompson Vice President - Steve Hicks Secretary - Helena Krasa Treasurer - Silvia Gregory Investments - Roy Thompson & Hilary Dobson Hospitality - Joyce Smith Historian - Helena Krasa Membership Chairman - Shirley Ball Newsletter Editors - Joyce Smith, Rich & Rita Shader Piper - David Owens Drummer - Kaye Hicks Website: scottishsocietytreasurecoast@gmail.com Society Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5263, Vero Beach, Fl

The Kirkin o the Tartans

The Kirkin o the Tartans Ancestral Scottish Heritage Festival & Celebration of All Heritages Sunday, October 28, 2012 Woodstock Presbyterian Church 142 E. Court Street Woodstock, VA 22664 Prayers from