Kirkin o' the Tartans Set for Sunday at First Presbyterian Church

The First Presbyterian Church of Bradford at 54 East Corydon Street will celebrate a legendary Scottish tradition called the “Kirkin ‘o’ the Tartans“at the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, October 28, 2012.

Members of the Caledonian Pipes and Drums from Buffalo, New York, will participate in the service, playing music of Scotland. In addition to the Caledonian Pipes and Drums, Regina Gabriel, director of music at the church, will provide organ music of the traditional style.

The roots of this unique worship reach back to the 18th century. A kirk is a Scottish word for church and a tartan is the traditional pattern of unevenly spaced stripes crossing at right angles woven into a woolen fabric that distinguishes the various Scottish clans. Each clan had its own design and was worn with pride, often as a kilt, to identify the wearer’s heritage.

The Scottish ceremony is a gathering of the tartans for the blessing of the church. This celebration is recognition of national heritage and offers an opportunity for anyone who claims a Scottish heritage to bring or wear a swatch of tartan.

Reformation is also celebrated in Protestant Churches on this Sunday, the Sunday nearest October 31. The day is devoted to restatement and reaffirmation of Protestant doctrines and to the thanksgiving for the heroic people of Christian history.

All are welcome to attend this service, which has been tradition at the First Presbyterian Church for many years. A light reception of traditional scones with coffee and tea will be held in the church library preceding the sanctuary service.

For more information, contact the church or visit www.presbybradford.org
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