Kirkin' o' the Tartans Blesses Dunedin's Colors

Eight tartans received a blessing during the annual Kirkin' o' the Tartans service at First Presbyterian Church on April 14.

Rev. Victoria ByRoade gave Dunedin tartans their annual blessing April 14. The Kirkin' o' the Tartans service at First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin saw eight tartans — or the colors representing clans, families or institutions. (See, Dunedin Patch reader Mary Ann Beall's photos from the service.)  The Scottish American custom is rooted in Scottish legend surrounding Highlanders who were banned from wearing kilts and had to hide their tartan colors and bring them to church to be blessed, according to a history on the Scottish Tartans Museum website. Kirkin' o' the Tartan was coined by a Scottish Presbyterian pastor during a sermon at a church in Washington, DC, during World War II, the website says. In Dunedin, members of the Dunedin …

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'Delightful Dunedin' Title Goes to Presbyterian Pastor

Rev. Victoria ByRoade of First Presbyterian Church was recently honored with the Dunedin Chamber's Beatrice Donahue Delightful Dunedin Award.

After 13 years of service to parishioners and the community, Rev. Victoria ByRoade, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, was honored recently by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce with its Beatrice Donahue Delightful Dunedin Award. "I knew that I had been nominated the last two years, but not this year," she said. "So, yes, it was a surprise. I had been invited to offer the invocation that evening, but really had no idea there was another purpose for my attendance." Born in Wilmington, DE, the oldest of six children, she first became acquainted with the city several years ago, when her grandparents retired here, and she often visited them with her husband. "My husband was really the one who learned that First Church was looking…

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bill coleman

5:26 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012

Pastor Vicki is one exceptional person. Dunedin did right by singling her out for this award. Pastor Vicki works for our community and is dedicated to helping all in need, regardless of their religious beliefs. Dunedin has so many outstanding citizens. This is a paramount part of our greatness as a city. If you have not met Pastor Vicki, please take the short trip to Scotland Street and say hello…   more ›

First Presbyterian Church Hiring Part Time Worship Leader

First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin is looking for a part-time Worship and Music Leader for its contemporary service.

Pastor Seeks Spiritual Renewal from Celts, American Indians

A pastor from First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin will travel for about five months to learn from ancient religions.

  A Dunedin pastor recently won a sabbatical grant so she can learn from the ancient Celts and American Indians, according to media reports. The Rev. Victoria “Vicki” ByRoade, of the First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, received a $49,470 grant from The Lilly Endowment Inc. for spiritual learning and renewal that it believes will better her congregation.  ByRoade and her congregation are among 158 religious groups across 40 states that learned in October they would win awards through the Lilly Endowment's National Clergy Renewal Program. The Dunedin Beacon caught up with ByRoade. Her reaction and plans appeared in a Dec. 29 article. The Lilly Foundation is a private, Indianapolis-based religion, education and community development …

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