First Presbyterian Church will celebrate its Scottish roots with its 17th Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans celebration.
The event will be held at 10 a.m. on March 6 and will start with a 40-minute performance by the Lyons College Pipes and Drums on Main Street in front of the church’s sanctuary.
A Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans service will follow. The service will feature a processional of flags to the pipes and drums, a blessing of the tartans and guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Danny Massie.
Massie is a native of Clinton and recently retired from First Scots Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, which has a large congregation founded by 12 Scottish families in 1731. He has also served churches in Vicksburg, Norfolk, Virginia, and Kingsport, Tennessee.
The service will also feature harpist Mandy Mangrum of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, who will perform and also accompany the choir.
The church’s director of music, Ray Smithee, said most of the music during the service will be celtic in nature.
At noon, the celebration will continue with a Kirkin’ luncheon.
During the lunch, the kilt election will be held. This year’s nominees are Timmy Lott and Bill Crump. Last year’s winners of kilts, David Camp and Heston Powers, will be wearing the knee-length garments at the upcoming event.
Also during the luncheon, the “knobbiest knees” competition will make a return.
“They will select a group of men who have kilts, and they will come up on the stage. A woman from our church will be blindfolded and will feel their knees and determine who she thinks has the knobbiest knees,” said Smithee. “We’ve done that in the past, but we haven’t in the past few years. We thought it was time to bring the contest back.”
The Reel McCoys will provide live entertainment during the luncheon
Additionally, members of the Lyons College Pipes and Drums will perform a Scottish dance.
Luncheon tickets are $7 each for adults, and $2 for children 11 years and younger.
The Presbyterian Church was founded in Scotland in the 16th century.
“Kirk” is the Scottish word for “church” or, in this usage for the Kirkin’ celebration, “blessing.” Tartans are plaid clothes that specify Scottish clans, regions or regiments. So the “Kirkin O’ the Tartans” is a presentation of a Scottish family’s symbol — the tartan — at church to receive a blessing.
The tradition started in 1746, after Scottish forces led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart were defeated in an attempt to dethrone George II of England. Following the defeat, wearing tartans and playing bagpipes were outlawed until 1782.
During this time, Scots would wear concealed pieces of their tartans to church. They would touch the hidden fabric, and the minister would offer a blessing during the service.
A Scottish-American revival of this service and celebration of Scottish heritage in the Presbyterian Church was started in 1941 in Washington, D.C., with the first “Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans” service. Presbyterian churches across the country celebrate the event annually, including Greenwood’s First Presbyterian.
“It’s a pretty popular event,” said church member Lisa Cookston. “We always have a great turnout that day.”
For more information about the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans or to buy tickets to the luncheon, call the church office at 453-4680.
• Contact Ruthie Robison at 581-7233 or rrobison@gwcommonwealth.com.
