Photo Gallery
Kirkan 2023
October 30, 2022
The History of Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan
The ceremony of Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan is of American origin, though based on Scottish history and legend. After Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish forces were defeated by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scotland once again came under British rule. To control the Scots, a special act was passed that forbade the carrying of arms and the wearing of kilts, plaid, or any tartan which represented Scottish heritage. Orders were given for British troops to kill upon sight any person dressed in Highland garb or displaying the tartan.
As the Legend Goes. . .
This act prompted the stubborn Scots secretly to carry a piece of their tartan with them as they went to the Kirk. The minister then slipped a blessing (a Kirkin’) into the service for the tartans. The prohibition against tartan lasted for nearly 50 years. At the repeal of the act, the Church of Scotland celebrated with a Service of Family Covenant, at which time the tartan of each family was offered as a covenant expression for the Lord’s blessing.
Blessing of the Pets 2022
Decatur Presbyterian Church conducted its annual Blessing of the Pets event Saturday October 15. The Blessing of the Animals, traditionally held in October, is often associated with St. Francis of Assisi who is known as the patron saint of animals and ecology. Decatur Presbyterian Church also recognizes how pets are an important part of our families and this day gives everyone a chance to appreciate how pets are vital part of our spiritual lives.
“The Blessing of the Animals is a wonderful opportunity for people of all backgrounds in all our surrounding communities to come together, meet and greet our beautiful animals that we love so much and confirm their blessings by the Spirit of God.” said Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Todd Speed at Decatur Presbyterian Church.
Lunch with a Purpose: Cornerstone Class
Members of the Cornerstone Sunday school class gathered at the home of Steve and Sara Jo Craw in August for a barbeque lunch with a purpose! The class is supporting DPC’s identify as a “Matthew 25 Church” by looking for ways we can support programs that benefit those in need through our financial contributions and hands-on work.
Cheryl Sullivan invited Marlene White, Executive Director of DCM (Decatur Cooperative Ministry), to a class one Sunday. Marlene shared plans for renovation efforts at Hagar’s House, the shelter for women and their families down the street from DPC. Our church has long supported Hagar’s House and often provided dinners there.
At the picnic, class members exceeded the goal of $1,000 by donating $3,150! This will provide seed money for DCM to raise all the funds needed.
Students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) have helped redesign the guest rooms and kitchen of the night shelter. Their concept for color and spaces was that the shelter “should be rooted in reviving an oasis.” So Cornerstone Class members at the picnic created colorful pictures of giraffe and sea horses, butterflies and bees, koi fish and peacocks, using alcohol marker and pages from coloring books for adults.
These eight “masterpieces” have been framed and will be presented to DCM with hopes these cheerful pictures are enjoyed by the families who find comfort at the shelter.
Art is displayed by Cheryl Sullivan and Dave Williams (top row) and Jim Hudgins and Lucia Sizemore. These are images of plants and flowers, animals and insects from a coloring book for adults to decorate residents’ rooms at Hagar’s House and were created by Linda LaBron, Kathy Morse, Cheryl Sullivan, Mimi Thurman, and Fran Wiggins.
Rev. Dr. Todd Speed 15th Anniversary Lunch
On Aug 7th, we celebrated Rev. Todd Speed’s 15th anniversary as our Senior Pastor and 15 years since Todd, Melanie and their four sons became part of the DPC church family. The congregation had the opportunity to greet Todd and Melanie at the Kick-Off Lunch immmediately after the service.
DPC SAM Trip to Atlanta Botanical Gardens for ‘Origami in the Garden’
July 19th, 2022
Emily Wilmesherr and Todd Speed led a Senior Adult Ministry trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden July 19, followed by lunch at Mary Mac’s Tea Room.
The overcast rainy morning enhanced their comfort as they enjoyed a guided tour of imaginative metal origami installations throughout the garden.
Remembering the Saints of Decatur Presbyterian Church, Nov 7, 2021
Kirkin ‘O’ The Tartans, October 31, 2021
The History of Kirkin’ o’the Tartan
The ceremony of Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan is of American origin, though based on Scottish history and legend. After Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish forces were defeated by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scotland once again came under British rule. To control the Scots, a special act was passed that forbade the carrying of arms and the wearing of kilts, plaid, or any tartan which represented Scottish heritage. Orders were given for British troops to kill upon sight any person dressed in Highland garb or displaying the tartan.
As the Legend Goes. . .
This act prompted the stubborn Scots secretly to carry a piece of their tartan with them as they went to the Kirk. The minister then slipped a blessing (a Kirkin’) into the service for the tartans. The prohibition against tartan lasted for nearly 50 years. At the repeal of the act, the Church of Scotland celebrated with a Service of Family Covenant, at which time the tartan of each family was offered as a covenant expression for the Lord’s blessing.
Blessing of the Pets October 16, 2021
The Blessing of the Animals, traditionally held in October, is often associated with St. Francis of Assisi who is known as the patron saint of animals and ecology. Decatur Presbyterian Church also recognizes how pets are an important part of our families and this day gives everyone a chance to appreciate how pets are vital part of our spiritual lives. Please bring your own chairs for this event.
“The Blessing of the Animals is a wonderful opportunity for people of all backgrounds in all our surrounding communities to come together, meet and greet our beautiful animals that we love so much and confirm their blessings by the Spirit of God.” said Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Todd Speed at Decatur Presbyterian Church.
Kirkan 2023
October 30, 2022
The History of Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan
The ceremony of Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan is of American origin, though based on Scottish history and legend. After Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish forces were defeated by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scotland once again came under British rule. To control the Scots, a special act was passed that forbade the carrying of arms and the wearing of kilts, plaid, or any tartan which represented Scottish heritage. Orders were given for British troops to kill upon sight any person dressed in Highland garb or displaying the tartan.
As the Legend Goes. . .
This act prompted the stubborn Scots secretly to carry a piece of their tartan with them as they went to the Kirk. The minister then slipped a blessing (a Kirkin’) into the service for the tartans. The prohibition against tartan lasted for nearly 50 years. At the repeal of the act, the Church of Scotland celebrated with a Service of Family Covenant, at which time the tartan of each family was offered as a covenant expression for the Lord’s blessing.
Blessing of the Pets 2022
Decatur Presbyterian Church conducted its annual Blessing of the Pets event Saturday October 15. The Blessing of the Animals, traditionally held in October, is often associated with St. Francis of Assisi who is known as the patron saint of animals and ecology. Decatur Presbyterian Church also recognizes how pets are an important part of our families and this day gives everyone a chance to appreciate how pets are vital part of our spiritual lives.
“The Blessing of the Animals is a wonderful opportunity for people of all backgrounds in all our surrounding communities to come together, meet and greet our beautiful animals that we love so much and confirm their blessings by the Spirit of God.” said Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Todd Speed at Decatur Presbyterian Church.
Lunch with a Purpose: Cornerstone Class
Members of the Cornerstone Sunday school class gathered at the home of Steve and Sara Jo Craw in August for a barbeque lunch with a purpose! The class is supporting DPC’s identify as a “Matthew 25 Church” by looking for ways we can support programs that benefit those in need through our financial contributions and hands-on work.
Cheryl Sullivan invited Marlene White, Executive Director of DCM (Decatur Cooperative Ministry), to a class one Sunday. Marlene shared plans for renovation efforts at Hagar’s House, the shelter for women and their families down the street from DPC. Our church has long supported Hagar’s House and often provided dinners there.
At the picnic, class members exceeded the goal of $1,000 by donating $3,150! This will provide seed money for DCM to raise all the funds needed.
Students from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) have helped redesign the guest rooms and kitchen of the night shelter. Their concept for color and spaces was that the shelter “should be rooted in reviving an oasis.” So Cornerstone Class members at the picnic created colorful pictures of giraffe and sea horses, butterflies and bees, koi fish and peacocks, using alcohol marker and pages from coloring books for adults.
These eight “masterpieces” have been framed and will be presented to DCM with hopes these cheerful pictures are enjoyed by the families who find comfort at the shelter.
Art is displayed by Cheryl Sullivan and Dave Williams (top row) and Jim Hudgins and Lucia Sizemore. These are images of plants and flowers, animals and insects from a coloring book for adults to decorate residents’ rooms at Hagar’s House and were created by Linda LaBron, Kathy Morse, Cheryl Sullivan, Mimi Thurman, and Fran Wiggins.
Rev. Dr. Todd Speed 15th Anniversary Lunch
On Aug 7th, we celebrated Rev. Todd Speed’s 15th anniversary as our Senior Pastor and 15 years since Todd, Melanie and their four sons became part of the DPC church family. The congregation had the opportunity to greet Todd and Melanie at the Kick-Off Lunch immmediately after the service.
DPC SAM Trip to Atlanta Botanical Gardens for ‘Origami in the Garden’
July 19th, 2022
Emily Wilmesherr and Todd Speed led a Senior Adult Ministry trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden July 19, followed by lunch at Mary Mac’s Tea Room.
The overcast rainy morning enhanced their comfort as they enjoyed a guided tour of imaginative metal origami installations throughout the garden.
Remembering the Saints of Decatur Presbyterian Church, Nov 7, 2021
Kirkin ‘O’ The Tartans, October 31, 2021
The History of Kirkin’ o’the Tartan
The ceremony of Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan is of American origin, though based on Scottish history and legend. After Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish forces were defeated by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scotland once again came under British rule. To control the Scots, a special act was passed that forbade the carrying of arms and the wearing of kilts, plaid, or any tartan which represented Scottish heritage. Orders were given for British troops to kill upon sight any person dressed in Highland garb or displaying the tartan.
As the Legend Goes. . .
This act prompted the stubborn Scots secretly to carry a piece of their tartan with them as they went to the Kirk. The minister then slipped a blessing (a Kirkin’) into the service for the tartans. The prohibition against tartan lasted for nearly 50 years. At the repeal of the act, the Church of Scotland celebrated with a Service of Family Covenant, at which time the tartan of each family was offered as a covenant expression for the Lord’s blessing.
Blessing of the Pets October 16, 2021
The Blessing of the Animals, traditionally held in October, is often associated with St. Francis of Assisi who is known as the patron saint of animals and ecology. Decatur Presbyterian Church also recognizes how pets are an important part of our families and this day gives everyone a chance to appreciate how pets are vital part of our spiritual lives. Please bring your own chairs for this event.
“The Blessing of the Animals is a wonderful opportunity for people of all backgrounds in all our surrounding communities to come together, meet and greet our beautiful animals that we love so much and confirm their blessings by the Spirit of God.” said Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Todd Speed at Decatur Presbyterian Church.