Holy Shenanigans

Holy Shenanigans Practioner Rev. Tara L. Eastman caught up with her colleague Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof at this summer’s Wild Goose Festival, to hear all about Words, Wonder and the Divine in You - a new book release. Deborah Roof, a queer Christian pastor, is an enthusiastic life-long learner and a passionate teacher. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from the Chicago Theological Seminary. In her new book, “Words, Wonder, and the Divine in You”, Roof shares her experience, strength and hope and invites the reader to take their own spiritual journey. Exemplifying her authentic gift of hospitality Roof shares the truth she has come to know: divinity dwells within each one of us. She finds God in the wonder of the created world and in the scriptures she has come to love. Deborah and her wife, Liz, have four adult daughters, their daughters’ four spouses, and four grandchildren Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Celebrate Holy Shenanigans Podcast's 3rd Birthday and 150th Episode in a conversation at The Wild Goose Festival 2023 with Doug Pagitt from Vote Common Good and Rev. Tara L. Eastman. In this episode, it's Doug's turn to ask Tara all about the sacred in everyday life and how over the last 20 years, she's been faithfully observing and practicing Holy Shenanigans. About Doug: Doug Pagitt is a possibility enthusiast. Through creative, entrepreneurial and generative efforts, he works to enlist people to join in the hopes, dreams, and desires God has for a more beautiful world. A proud, concerned and hopeful American, Doug Pagitt is a social activist. He is Co-founder and Executive Director of Vote Common Good, a national political non-profit dedicated to inspiring, energizing, and mobilizing people of faith to engage in civic life. Pulling from his experience as an author, pastor and business owner, Doug consults for and trains churches, denominations, politicians, businesses and non-profits throughout the United States on issues of culture, leadership, social systems, Christianity and Progressive Evangelicalism. Doug has authored 10 books on spirituality, Christianity and leadership, including: Flipped (Random House 2015), The Inventive Age Series (SparkHouse 2012), and A Christianity Worth Believing (Jossey-Bass 2008). His latest book, Outdoing Jesus: Seven Ways to Live Out the Promise of Greater Than (Eerdmans 2019), is a hopeful and provocative commentary on biblical good news exemplified through present-day ordinary people making extraordinary contributions. In 2000, Doug was founding pastor of Solomon’s Porch, a Holistic Missional Christian Community in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He also founded and remains active with the Greater Things Foundation, a charitable non-profit for empowering and fostering more beautiful, inclusive, and life-giving communities. Doug Pagitt has a BA in Anthropology and a Masters of Theology from Bethel Seminary. He lives with his wife, Shelley, in Edina, Minnesota and are parents of 4 adult children. Doug is also a novice ultra marathoner who, on most days, wishes he was out on a run. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

In honor and remembrance of International Overdose Awareness Day, on August 31, 2023 this week's episode focuses on, "Faith In Harm Reduction " with special guest Rev. Erica M. Poellot, MSW, MDiv. Rev. Erica M. Poellot, serves as the Minister of Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention Ministries for the National United Church of Christ and Executive Director of Faith in Harm Reduction. As a faith leader engaged in a long term healing process from substance use disorder, Erica founded `Faith in Harm Reduction' to co-create a justice movement which connects people who use drugs, their loved ones, and communities of faith through the development of harm reduction centered spiritual resources, ritual support, and spiritual care. With joint MDiv/MSW degrees from Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University in NYC, Erica is based at Judson Memorial Church in NYC. Erica also serves on the Board of Directors for Safehouse and the Peer Network of New York (NYS Union of People Who Use Drugs). Find Faith and Harm Reduction Resources at: * Faithful Advocacy for Intersectional and Transformational Healing in Harm Reduction Resolution * Spirit of Harm Reduction Tool Kit * https://generalsynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/F.-Harm-Reduction.pdf Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

This week we celebrate the release of the book, "Youth Are Either Leading or Leaving", by Lyle Griner. To get your copy, go to: https://store.bookbaby.com/book/youth-are-either-leading-or-leaving Lyle Griner, is Executive Peer Ministry Leadership Director: A connoisseur of “Aha” moments as soulfully curious youth and families wrestle with the nuances of faith and life! A writer, teacher, youth minister, spiritual director, working across the country, with multiple denominations to help congregations expand and deepen their abilities for youth and young adults to find purposeful ministry in every day life. <www.peerministry.org> Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Welcome to episode #2 from the 2023 Wild Goose Festival - this week I visit with a new friend, Jon Carl Lewis, on the topic of Spiritual Direction/Companionship. Jon Carl Lewis is a spiritual companion dedicated to helping followers of Christ connect more deeply with Christ—and each other—so that they might live with abundant joy, loving God and their neighbor with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. He lives in Trenton, NJ, with his husband of 27 years and Alfred the cat. He feels a special affinity with contemplatives of any tradition and the LGBTQIA+ community. Jon Carl is always open to chat. Please schedule a free hour with him at https://calendly.com/joncarllewis/60min and find out about all of his projects at linktr.ee/joncarllewis. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Welcome to the Wildgoose Festival 2023, "Ignite"! One of my favorite parts of Wildgoose is the opportunity to connect with new and old friends, to be reminded of the importance of supportive relationships and to carry these connections home - long after the festival has wrapped up. Our first interview is with a new friend - Kate is the author of three books. Her newest book “Reclaiming Rest: The Promise of Sabbath, Solitude, and Stillness in a Restless World" is available now from all booksellers. In addition to her role as a writer, Kate is a consultant focused in international public health. She also is the leader of, Writing for your Life, a resource center for spiritual writers. This episode's prose piece comes from "The Celtic Daily Prayer - Book 1" adapted to gender inclusive language. It reads: “Their eyes, far-seeing, scan the horizon, the joys venturing of little boats. A torch burns clearly in their grasp, a faithful challenge to this generation -meeting, listening, heart-connecting. In their shadow is a place I covet, a challenge in a present time…While I live may I be the shadow of a Rock in a weary land, a shelter from the heat…" Questions for discussion: 1. What does rest mean to you? 2. Do you have a regular rest ritual or sabbath practice? 3. What is it? 4. Why did you choose this as your sabbath/rest practice/ritual? 5. If you don't currently have a rest practice, how might you start one - what would i be? 6. What are the most needed or important effects you need to gain from a rest practice? Gratitude to Wildgoose Festival for HSP being part of the 2023 Podcast Team. Thanks to Ian Eastman for sound editing and to Kate for sharing her story of reclaiming rest in this first feature interview from the Wildgoose Festival. To learn more about Kate, go to: https://www.katerademacher.com/ To support our ongoing Holy Shenanigans, make a contribution by going to: buymeacoffee.com/taraleastman Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Is Collaboration a "holy shenanigans"? Join Tara and Spencer Burke as they celebrate innovation and collaboration to foster wholeness for people and organizations. In the summer of 2022, spiritual innovator Spencer Burke, organized an Online Conference with 30 Spiritual Leaders called, "The Next Sunday Summit". Holy Shenanigans Podcast muse, Rev. Tara L. Eastman joined Spencer for a conversation about change, church, collaboration and innovation. Questions for further discussion: 1. What does the "Next Sunday" look like in my church/community of faith/spirituality? 2. How can innovation and collaboration help leaders navigate adaptive challenges? 3. Who might be a co-collaborator in waiting - to help foster wholeness in my community? Gratitude to Spencer Burke for permissions to re-release this segment of "The Next Sunday Summit". Thanks to Ian Eastman and Matt Kendziera for sound editing. To learn more about Spencer's work, go to: https://www.spencerburke.com/ Bio: Spencer Burke is a widely sought after speaker, coach, trainer and strategist in the field of spiritual innovation. When ministries want to dream or feel stuck or confused, and want to love more and discern faster, they consult Spencer. As Director of Lean Faith, he helps spiritual communities discover the right questions, minimize risk, and test their ideas through rapid iterations. He is also the Founder of Hatchery LA - an incubator for Spiritual Entrepreneurs, as well as creator of The OOZE - the original website and magazine for Progressive Christianity. Spencer has authored several books including, A Heretics Guide to Eternity and Making Sense of Church. For more than twenty years, Spencer has been a practitioner of the Enneagram. He is an ordained Disciples of Christ Minister, serving as the Minister of Innovation and New Church Development with the Pacific Southwest Region from 2015 to 2019. Email - Spencer@SpencerBurke.com Phone - (949) 216-0006 Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

What does Juneteenth mean to you? For Ms. Della Moore, Juneteenth is a holiday for remembrance, reflection and living into BIPOC joy. Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans since 2021. Juneteenth is also know as "Freedom Day", deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth. It is celebrated on the anniversary of the order by Major General Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865. Ms. Della Moore is curator and champion of The African American Center for Cultural Development in Olean, NY. In this special Juneteenth episode, she tells how she came to love the place and people of Olean, and how she gives her time, energy and imagination into establishing The African American Center for Cultural Development. Della shares how love found her and how she extends love to help others find home and connection. To make a contribution to The African American Center for Cultural Development, click here. Join Della and company for a local Juneteenth Celebration/Fundraiser on Saturday, June 24, 2023 from noon until three o’clock. This is an open invitation to everyone to come join in the fun of a ‘Block Party-like’ celebration - mixing City with Country fare. There will be great tasting food (until sold out). Our menu includes pulled pork sandwiches; potato salad; hot dogs, burgers, pop, water and, new this year, ribs, barbeque ribs. Oh, Yeah! We will feature Boom box music (the city part), fun and a bit of education. So bring your lawn chairs and dancing shoes. We even have a couple of raffling items for bid. This will all be taking place at the Bethany Lutheran’s Church yard (6 Leo Moss Drive, Olean). Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Episode #143 of #HSP celebrates Pride month with the Rev. Holly Clark-Porter. Rev. Holly tells her personal story of what Pride means to her: Beginning with the history of Pride's origin at Stonewall, her coming out as a seminary student, meeting her spouse and their journey together as a publicly queer clergy couple. No matter if you are new to Queer Theology or already celebrate Pride, Rev. Holly invites all to let go and open our hearts to idea that... "love is the whole thing, we are the pieces." (Rumi) The Rev. Holly Clark-Porter is pastor of Fredonia Presbyterian Church in Fredonia, NY - a church in the Presbytery of Western New York. Holly earned a BA from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas and a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Holly was the recipient of the Charles L. King Preaching Award. She is a self-described "liturgy nerd" and believes the Church and the work we do is deeply important to communities. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

This Pentecost, as I think about the mighty, rushing wind that invoked the followers of Christ to speak and live lives of love - real love; I am on the lookout for signs of this love today - hearts ablaze for the sake of love. I think what is needed to not simply revive the Church to love - but reorient our focus, to Christ"s starting place to love. This Pentecost season, how can the "Church" live in ways that embody the parting words of Christ…"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another." Discussion Questions: If you are sharing this podcast episode with a small group or church community, here are some questions to ask about Pentecost, the "church" and Christ's call to love: 1. Is the church and “Christians” known by the way we love well? Why or why not? 2. Are our hearts ablaze with the Holy Spirit to live into this call to love? Where have your witnessed this "fire" of love? 3. When your friends hear the word “Church", what is their/your response? 4. As you learn about God as the original hearth-tender - how might your/and our your community engage in practical hearth-tending where you are? (You can find the account of Pentecost in the Bible in the book of Acts, Chapter 2.) Song "Cleansing Fire" copyright T.L. Eastman 2019 Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

In the wake of the global pandemic and long season that called the 'church" to be church in new and innovative ways - is creativity in a state of crisis or growth? Clergywoman and church consultant Rev. Dr. Karen Chamis invites churches and church leaders to move beyond dreaming - to bring dreams to fruition. Karen believes that creativity empowered is key to helping individuals and organizations to live in alignment with their purpose . Listen to a conversation with Karen and Tara, at the Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution, in May of 2023 to learn more about the power of creativity in times of change. Karen worked in the nonprofit world for most of her life: working as a Zoo Educator, assisting with refugee and asylum seekers, and sitting on the Board of a Community Theater. She is ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and in December 2022 stepped down from a mid-council position in order to discern where life might take her next and to tackle several writing projects. Her passion is helping organizations to reach their goals. Her toolkit includes training in creative studies, mediation, coaching, systems theory, and grant-writing. Her PhD is in the area of Organizational Leadership, and dissertation is focused on the impact of the COVID pandemic on organizational identity and culture. When Karen is not strategizing or writing, she's knitting, spinning, and gardening. Contact Rev. Dr. Karen Chamis, go to: http://www.karenchamis.com/ Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Special Guest Suzanne John Blacksnake, member of the Seneca Nation (Deer Clan) and Elder from Jimersontown Presbyterian Church. In Episode 140 of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Suzanne shares the history of Seneca peoples, their complex relationship with Presbytery of WNY - as well as ways her church (Jimersontown Presbyterian Church) is working for healing and a hopeful future. She resides on the Allegany territory and grew up on the Allegany territory, later moving to Buffalo to attend Medaille College where she received my Bachelor of Science in Human Services. She later attended St. Bonaventure School counselor program and received her Masters. Currently she is retired from Salamanca City Central School district in 2016. Suzanne has one daughter and 6 grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 21 years old. She enjoy playing piano, cooking and spending time with her family. Gratitude to Suzanne John Blacksnake for her generosity to share her personal story, to the Seneca Nation for ongoing opportunities to learn and build healthy relationships, and Jimersontown Presbyterian Church for their community caring work. To learn more, visit their Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/906975910444578 Thanks to Ian Eastman for sound editing. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

LIVE is... Love, Intention, Verve and Ease. At least for Tara - for her it's a rule of life - or at least, and intention. How can learning what your strengths are, and leaning into them help you to LIVE? Listen for more on the power of questions, learning and leaning into your strengths - and truly LIVE-ing. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

What is spiritual shepherding? Learn the basics of spiritual direction from spiritual director Nancy Wagner. Nancy Wager is a Deacon on the Roster of Word and Service with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Nancy holds BS and MS degrees in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Arts in Applied Theology degree from Wheeling Jesuit University and a certificate in Spiritual Formation from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She is a Spiritual Director having received her training through the Horizons Program at the Spiritual Renewal Center in Syracuse, NY. Nancy resides in Ohio where she loves spending time with her family. Her interests include writing devotional reflections and crafting. She is a crochet artist who specializes in table labyrinths as well as designing and creating other small, original projects. Nancy’s spiritual formation website can be found at stillgrowingonthevine.weebly.com. She can be reached by email at stillgrowingonthevine@gmail.com. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Waiting can lead to impatience OR impatiens. Impatiens? Tara tells a story of her childhood neighbor Ms. Estella and how the imptiens she grew, were a lesson of grace. Can we be more like impatens in our waiting? Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Today's guest Lilly Lewin is a worship curator, author, artist, and founder of Thinplace NASHVILLE, and Finding Your Thinplace. She creates sacred space prayer experiences and leads workshops and retreats on sabbath and prayer and pilgrimages to help people discover their thinplace..the place where they feel God’s pleasure and presence. Her passion is to help people of all ages engage God using all their senses and bring art & artists back to church. Lilly and her husband Rob live in Nashville, TN where she’s on the lookout for good coffee, dark chocolate & the best place to watch the sun set. She is a big fan of Instagram @lillylewin, writes a weekly blog post called freerangefriday at godspacelight.com and creates resources for worship at Free Range Worship. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

What signs of Spring are you looking for? The Easter Season is here to bring gifts of renewal and hope - and the gift of a conversation with author Roger Hutchison regarding the publication and release of two new books, Sparrow's Prayer and The Art of Calm (April 19). Join Roger and Tara for a heart to heart about the broken and beautiful - as they see and hear signs of new life in sparrows, bluebirds and books. Roger Hutchison is an author, illustrator, educator, and director of Christian Formation and Parish Life at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. Roger is the author of nine books, including My Favorite Color Is Blue; Sometimes: A Journey through Loss with Art and Color; and The Very Best Day: The Way of Love for Children, Sparrow's Prayer, and The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercises for the Anxious Soul. Roger's ambition is to use art, color, and poetic language to communicate love and promote healing and hope in today's hurting world. Sparrow's Prayer - Often, the most powerful prayers do not include words. Lyrical and unique, Sparrow's Prayer is a tale about an unexpected and life-changing encounter with the holy. The Art of Calm: Spiritual Exercises for the Anxious Soul - An invaluable resource for anyone struggling with anxiety, fear, or depression, The Art of Calm is a lifesaving and inspiring guidebook that empowers us to break free from the emotional bondage of mental illness. Bursting with deep personal insight and uplifting practical guidance, this remarkable and therapeutic journey begins by charting the author’s own devastating psychological descent―which included panic attacks so severe they landed him in the emergency room. Weaving these personal stories with thoughtful questions, journaling prompts, and a wide range of inspirational practices, Hutchison creates a self-help tapestry of compassion, vulnerability, and action. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

In anticipation of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, P. Tara and John Fong discuss tools of spiritual vitality in times of change. John Fong is a Hybrid Church Growth Communications Consultant. A Synod of NE Innovation grant recipient, he is currently working with presbyteries and churches in three Synods. John uses church growth case studies, focuses on creating result/data-proven programs that help churches increase exposure, engagement, enhance overall communication, hybrid authenticity, and help churches grow. John is also a husband and father to three beautiful children, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston, NY. Email - Johnchoufong@gmail.com Facebook me - @AskJohnFong Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Listen to "notes" of gratitude featuring David Horne - Minister of Music at Jamestown First Presbyterian Church. He arrived in WNY in 2018, to help care for his father, after serving as Choral Director and Chapel Organist at Tabor Academy, in Massachusetts. Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.

This week, Dawn Trautman and Tara share a conversation about graditude in the midst of Lent. How do Lent and graditude mix? In the grit of life does gratitude actually matter??? Who is Dawn? Dawn Trautman founded Big Picture Big Purpose in 2005 to coach ministry professionals, academics, and non-profit leaders into healthy change-makers in their personal and professional lives. What sets her apart from other coaches is her proprietary process called “Discern by Doing,” which helps people take action toward big goals while listening to the Holy Spirit each step of the way. Her work has been described as "strategic," "action-oriented," and "relentlessly positive without being unrealistic." After earning a Masters in Youth & Family Ministry at Luther Seminary she earned an additional Masters in Organizational Psychology at New York University. She combined those degrees to become one of the first National Board Certified Life Coaches in the United States. She is also a mom, a professional actor, and producer of a web series called “A Dairy Tale” which she describes as being like The Office if your Office were a barn. On weekends she volunteers at her church's food pantry in New York City, which serves up to 24,000 meals a week. Website: www.BigPictureBigPurpose.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawntrautman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigPictureBigPurpose TikTok: @BigPictureBigPurpose Support the showWhen in Western New York, please join Pastor Tara in worship at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY on Sundays at 10:30 am.