"First of all it is a worship service," church member Jim McQueen said. "At the same time, it will be a celebration of Scottish heritage. We will have a procession of tartans led by the area's eminent bagpiper, Bill Caudill, with Ms. Camille DeVaney on the organ. It should be an interesting event and is open to all, of Scottish heritage or not."
The Rev. Neal Carter, pastor of Laurinburg Presbyterian Church, will lead the worship service.
"The annual Kirkin o' the Tartans is a special service particular to the Scottish-American tradition and to the Presbyterian Church," Carter said. "It's a neat thing to be able to make these connections with the deep roots in this area."
Carter said the event brings in many people from beyond Scotland County.
"We typically have a large crowd for the annual kirkin'," Carter said. "In addition to our regular congregation, we have locals in attendance who come to celebrate their Scottish heritage, and we have folks who are in town for the Scottish Heritage Weekend held at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. People attend from all over the state".
Hymns performed during the service will include psalms and the hymn "From Highland Peaks", first performed in 2009 for the 150th anniversary of Laurinburg Presbyterian Church.
"This commemorative hymn was composed by Dr. Mel Bringle, a former professor of religion at St. Andrews College and a former member of the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir," McQueen said. "Dr. Bringle is an internationally known hymnologist who is now a professor of religion at Brevard College."
The service will conclude with a blessing of the tartans, following by a recessional of the tartans with bagpipe accompaniment.
"Everyone is invited to wear Highland attire, i.e. kilts, dresses, ties and other tartan regalia, if they so choose," McQueen said. "We hope you will join us for this special occasion."
Reservations are requested for those interested in carrying a Tartan banner in the service. Call 277-5236 for information.
The Kirkin o' the Tartans was originated in the United States in 1949 by The Rev. Peter Marshall of Coatbridge, Scotland, who was the pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. during World War II. In the early 1940s Marshall led a service to raise funds for the British war relief efforts. One of his sermons was titled Kirkin o' the Tartans, which led to the contemporary service.
Sunday's service is the last formal event of a weekend that includes the Charles Bascombe Shaw Memorial Scottish Heritage Symposium, which features experts on Scottish history and culture, the Scottish Heritage Awards Banquet, and a concert and recording session by the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Pipe Band and the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Choir.
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