TENAFLY—Presbyterians trace their church roots back to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and that heritage is alive and well at Tenafly Presbyterian Church, led by their Scottish pastor, Rev. Dr. Martin Ritchie. Along with Jane Sharp, a long-time Tenafly resident and Scots exile, and other members with ties to Scotland, Rev. Ritchie will host an intergenerational evening brimming with Scottish culture.
The celebration will feature singing, bagpiping, poetry, tastes of Scotland, and a chance to try lively traditional group dances straight from the homeland. It’s all in honor of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, whose birthday is celebrated every year on Jan. 25.
Burns, a ploughman, tax official, and poet, is renowned for his keen understanding of humanity and his mastery of words. His work includes some of the most beautiful, touching, and irreverent poetry of the 18th century—much of which remains relevant today as part of the great literature of the world. His influence even extended to American literature, with John Steinbeck famously drawing on Burns’ poem “To a Mouse” for the title of his novel “Of Mice and Men.”
To mark the occasion, the Tenafly church invites everyone to an evening of fun and cultural adventure with their plaid-clad pastor at Jim Henry Hall at 5 p.m. on Jan. 25. Admission is free, and the event is part of the church’s cultural outreach program. Donations to support the Arts Outreach Fund are welcomed.
To reserve your spot, contact the church office at 201-567-0111 or office@tenaflypresby.org.