Kirkin' O' the Tartans takes place at Shandon Presbyterian Church
By Rachel Haynie

Brilliantly-colored tartans line the sidewalk outside Shandon Presbyterian Church after Robert Burns Society members joined the worship last Sunday. Kirkin' O' the Tartans is a service that celebrates religious heritage.

Shandon Presbyterian Church members sat closer to each other in their pews Sunday to make room for guests. Members of the Robert Burns Society crowded in to worship with them Feb. 18 for the Kirkin' O' the Tartans.

The Kirkin' O' the Tartans service celebrates the Presbyterian religious heritage. The American tradition originated with the late Peter Marshall, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Marshall was Chaplain to the U.S. Senate from 1947- 49.

According to Scottish legend, following the 18th-century English defeat of Scottish forces, clansmen were forbidden to wear the tartan from 1745- 1822. In defiance, Scots were known to sneak small swatches of their tartans into church, and clergymen would slip a blessing of them into the service.

The colorful service began with a procession of the tartans, led by Palmetto Pipes and Drums, then blended into the church's standard service. Pastor Agnes Norfleet referenced the swatches and the religious tradition in her sermon and prayer, and The Rev. Tom S. Glenn used the Scots Confession in place of the usual the Affirmation of Faith.

Lois Lockhart of the Burns Society asked the congregation to remember those Flowers of the Forest who had died since the last Kirkin'. The Blessing of the Tartan raises the tartans "before Almighty God, in gratitude of our heritage, and (we) pray God's blessing on his servant people in all lands."

When the tartan bearers processed out of the stone sanctuary, the woolen banners caught the February breeze, creating a bit of historic pageantry for those passing along Woodrow Street Sunday morning.