Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan - 76th Anniversary
November 19, 2023 10:00am
A Scottish clan is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official structure recognized by the Court of the Lord Lyon which regulates Scottish heraldry and coats of arms. Most clans have their own tartan patterns which members may incorporate into kilts or other clothing.
The modern image of clans, each with their own tartan and specific land, was promulgated by the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott after influence by others. Historically, tartan designs were associated with Lowland and Highland districts whose weavers tended to produce cloth patterns favored in those districts. By process of social evolution, it followed that the clans/families prominent in a particular district would wear the tartan of that district and it was but a short step for that community to become identified by it.
On our 50th Anniversary, ties to Scotland were renewed with the creation of the exclusive Kirk in the Hills tartan. Designed by Sharon Fullerton Grist and woven at Lochcarron of Scotland, the handsome blue, yellow and maroon Kirk tartan is officially registered in Scotland. That Kirk tartan is the symbol of our “clan” and all of us are a member of it.
On Sunday, November 19th, during the COMBINED service at 10:00 a.m., we ask God’s blessing on our Kirk in the Hills clan (8:00 a.m. service in Cedarholm Chapel will still take place.) If you have Kirk Tartan apparel or that of your own family clan, we encourage you to wear it and join in our 76th Anniversary of our beloved Kirk. A special coffee hour will take place after worship in the Refectory.