The Kirkin’ of the Tartans honors heritage
[gtxvideo vid=”DtKBHCJL” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/DtKBHCJL.jpg” vtitle=”Kirkin of the tartans”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — Centuries of heritage were honored this morning with plaid in hand. First Presbyterian Church in Jackson took a trip back to its beginnings Sunday with a special service called the Kirkin’ of the Tartans. Kirk is a Gaelic term for church, and tartans represent different clans in Scottish heritage, members are asked to lay their family tartans across the altar to pray for blessings over their families and the Presbyterian church. “You don’t have to be Presbyterian, you don’t have to be Scottish. I believe that every group of believers should look back and remember the past,” member Susannah White said. She has been going to Kirkin’s since she was a small child. Sunday was also All Saints Day, and the congregation honored their roots with processionals, pageantry, and proclamations. “It’s not so much a celebration of Scotland but it’s a celebration of those saints who have gone before us,” Pastor John White said. “I lost both of my parents this year 12 days a part and so for me it is a celebration of family that goes on eternally to be with our Lord and that we celebrate through our families here,” Susannah said. The pastor says this is the 14th year the church has held the Kirkin’ of the Tartans.
