THE KIRKING OF THE TARTANS: An Anglican Perspective

As things were heating up during the Revolutionary War, Anglicans were terribly abused. Of course during time time just before and after the Revolutionary war, things were tense to put it mildly and Anglicans were not allowed to worship under the name, "The Church of England." American Anglicans had no bishop appointed to the colonies yet and it didn't look like we were going to have one anytime soon. Rev. Seabury appealed to the Episcopal Church of Scotland to ordain him after being elected Bishop by the Diocese of Connecticut. But being elected Bishop in the Anglican Church doesn't give the priest the power to actually become Bishop unless he is ordained a Bishop. The Episcopal Church of Scotland was rather happy to ordain Rev. Seabury since their bishops at that time refused to recognize the authority of King George III. He was consecrated in Aberdeen on 14 Nov, 1784. The anniversary of his consecration is a now a lesser feast day on the calendars of both the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the Anglican Church of Canada. In fairness to all involved, a lot of things happened in England, Scotland and America simply because King George was truly mentally ill, a psycho who was totally off his rocker. In fact, it was his mental illness, exhibited by poor judgment and totally crazy behavior which in turn created the environment for the colonies to rebel, throw tea parties and say "enough is enough!" So it was fitting, right and good for Art and Becky Hildebrand, members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, to have their family Tartan blessed as well. I didn't know it until I got home from the service that Becky and my Larry are friends. Becky wanted one of the Episcopal Buttons we made a year or two ago and Larry wanted a hug.

Art Hildebrand

Beautful Stained Glass Celtic Cross, Choir in Front and Ben Walton immediately in front Becky Hildebrand