Sunday, November 17 The St.
Andrews Episcopal Church is celebrating their second annual “Kirkin’ O’ The
Tartans.” If you’re anything like me, right now you’re thinking, “whatin’ of
the what?” The Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans is the annual event that the church hosts
to celebrate their namesake, St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

  I did my research for the
article and came to find that the pattern that we usually think of as plaid is
referred to as “tartan” in Scotland. Kilts are primarily made with a tartan
pattern and they are the featured attire for the event!

Examples of tartan patterns

  Mr. Andrew Modrall made me
aware of the event and I asked him to provide some history on the celebration
and what will be offered at St. Andrews Church?

Mr. Modrall explained, “The
history of the event dates back to the 1700’s when the English outlawed the
wearing of clan tartans by the Highlanders in Scotland. Members of different
clans would bring a swatch of their tartan with them to church, invisible to
the public, in defiance of their English masters.” He continued, “In addition
to bagpipe music and singing, this event at St. Andrews Episcopal Church,
includes a roll call of the Clans. As a reader calls out the clan names,
members of the congregation stand to demonstrate their membership in their
ancestral clan. For those without a clan affiliation, the final name called is
Clan Dhia, which means: All the Children of God.

It is quite a departure from
a normal Sunday morning church service, and lots of fun.

The public is invited. St.
Andrews is a beautiful church.  If you have never been inside, here is
your chance!”

To
kick off the Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans a procession will form at the Fort Thomas
Masonic Lodge at 3:30 pm and a parade will march to St. Andrews Church (kilts
are not mandatory, but strongly encouraged!) The service begins at the church
at 4 o’clock and will be followed by a reception in the Parish Hall where there
will be demonstrations of Scottish dancing, Scottish food and drink.

For
more information you are encouraged to contact Father Jeff Queen at St. Andrews
Church at 441-1092 and be sure to be on the lookout for a jovial mob of
Episcopalians on November 17 marching through town proudly displaying their
tartan kilts!