St. David's Tartan

**Riverkilt** · 16th July 07, 11:49 PM

There is a small Episcopal church in my little town. It wallowed from a small congregation until about seven years ago when a new padre arrived in town. He is a really cool guy, opened the church to faiths without a place of worship (i.e. Jewish services are held there) and the church took over the local Food Bank and a number of other outreach services that had floundered. The padre did all his work in a nearly secular manner. In the years since he arrived the congregation has greatly expanded and last Saturday the church had a groundbreaking ceremony for a new sanctuary. Big stuff in this small town.

In the celebration the padre talked about how the church had grown from the diversity of the congregation, welcoming all and being open to all. That got me to thinking that maybe the church would benefit from something to unify all their diversity. The name of the chruch is St. David's.

So a little time on the Intenet and I soon had a thick file of items in the St. David's tartan. All sorts of tams, vests/waistcoats, ponchos, shawls, scarfs, neckties, and of course kilts.

In a fit of optimism and over helpfulness I took them over to the padre and turns out the St. David the church is named for is the same St. David as the patron saint of Wales. So I told him about the St. David's tartan and all the garments - including raw cloth for other decorations - that were available from various sources.

He seemed interested. I just left it all with him and whether anything happens or not will be up to the padre and his congregation. But, it sure seems like a winning idea to me.

Ron

**CelticRanger66** · 17th July 07, 01:09 AM

Sounds like a great Idea to me!!! I think a St. Davids Tartan Banner in front of the church and rosettes on each pew would be stunning!!!!

**McClef** · 17th July 07, 01:31 AM

The St David's helps to unify and celebrate diversity in Wales, it would be interesting though to see how it worked in a church.

**Phil** · 17th July 07, 01:37 AM

He sounds a really inclusive guy, welcoming everyone like that. Sounds like a breath of fresh air nowadays when there is so much terrorism and killing in the name of religion. We really need more of this kind of attitude.

**macwilkin** · 17th July 07, 05:11 AM

Let's keep the discussion to Ron's attempts to promote the St. David's tartan only, please.

Ron -- you might also mention to the padre about the St. David's Cross:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/s...st_david.shtml

Regards,

Todd

**McMurdo** · 17th July 07, 05:19 AM

That sounds great Ron, I hope the Padre does look into it some more, maybe you have to show up wearing a St. David's Tartan kilt,

just to give him a really good idea of what it looks like.

Of course I really don't know if you have that tartan, or if you need a reason for another kilt, but it seems like a good one.

**Ozman1944** · 17th July 07, 06:48 AM

A very nice gift to the Church would be a Banner in the St. David's tartan with a St. David's flag in the center with the name of the Church embroidered underneath. a "Tradition" could be started that only someone kilted in the St. David's tartan traditionally carries the banner in processions etc.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 17th July 07, 06:55 AM

That is really neat. I love that tartan, and my USAK in it.

I think it would neat to see if used in a church with the same namesake.

**pdcorlis** · 17th July 07, 06:55 AM

What a wonderful connection to the world of tartan - well done Ron!

**Riverkilt** · 17th July 07, 08:56 AM

Great idea Herman, but I felt intrusive enough already. While we work together meeting local needs I don't follow, or believe in, the Christian faith. The Padre knows and accepts that. He had no problem coming to my dying mother's bedside and giving her the last rights since mother attended his church when she could, as did my former girlfriend. The Padre was also able to help my current girlfriend with some serious issues involving the church.

I hadn't realized there'd be a church service at the groundbreaking. Thought it would only be an outdoor hardhats and shovels deal. Wrong. So, not being Christian I stood outside the door. Padre comes over and says, "Come on in, we need to shut the door." What the heck. He's just that kind of guy.

I don't own a St. David's tartan kilt. The tartan just doesn't appeal to me either by layout or color, that's just me. So, instead wore my Welsh National tartan kilt with the dragon kilt pin. Figured close enough.

Whether the idea takes off at the church or not is pretty much up to the Padre. If he likes it, it'll happen. If not, nothing I could do or say will make it happen. I'm hoping it does since any additional tartan presence in town can only help gain acceptance for kilts. And, sooner or later someone at the church is bound to get a St. David's tartan kilt - especially if they over heard all the compliments I got from the ladies at the reception after the ground breaking.

Ron