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Holy Shenanigans

Religion & Spirituality Podcas

Holy Shenanigans shares stories that surprise, encourage, and sometimes even turn life upside down – all in the name of love. Your muse is Tara Lamont Eastman, a creative, feminist and pastor. Join her on a journey of unforgettable spiritual adventure that is always sacred but never stuffy.

Location:

United States

Description:

Holy Shenanigans shares stories that surprise, encourage, and sometimes even turn life upside down – all in the name of love. Your muse is Tara Lamont Eastman, a creative, feminist and pastor. Join her on a journey of unforgettable spiritual adventure that is always sacred but never stuffy.

Language:

English

Contact:

7167208584


Episodes

Writing as a Spiritual Practice with Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed

3/19/2024
Writing is spiritual practice. Where do you begin, if you want to try it out? Pen. Pencil. Journal. Laptop. Yes, all of these tools can help with your writing practice, but first you need yourself and a community to support your practice. Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed, is an academic entreprenuer and host of the Writing Table, who, in this week's episode, shares her own journey with writing as a spiritual practice. Who is Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell- Reed? + Visiting Associate Professor at Union Theological Seminary + Co-director of the Learning Pastoral Imagination Project + Founder and host of Three Minute Ministry Mentor + Author of Pastoral Imagination: Bringing the Practice of Ministry to Life Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:30:50

Everything Good About God is True - with Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow

3/5/2024
Is Everything Good about God True? Join Rev. Tara Eastman and special guest Rev. Bruce Reyes Chow to discuss his new book to help the reader learn about a progressive, expansive, and generous Christianity Rev. Bruce believes that - "A better story of faith exists, and it has the capacity to heal the world--if we only embrace, articulate, and live it more courageously." What do you believe? Rev. Bruce is an active speaker and writer on topics of faith, culture, race, and technology. He hosts the podcast, BRC & Friends, and has authored five books most recently, “In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World” (Chalice Press, 2021) and "Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith" (Broadleaf Books, 2024). Bruce has been active in local politics and community organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly three decades. He has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) since 1995 and was the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, 2008-2010. He is also a Senior Consultant and Coach with Convergence and is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach. Bruce has an active online presence and can be found on most social networks via @breyeschow with all current links here: https://linktr.ee/breyeschow. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ You Can Help with the Holy Shenanigans! Help send Rev. Tara to the T4T Soul Shop Train the Trainer event this April! By attending this training, Rev. Tara will be able to offer workshops to equip faith community leaders and congregations to minister to those impacted by suicide. To contribute to the expenses of this training ($2500+travel) go to: Buy Me A Coffee. Please make the note: "Soul Shop Training" in your donation, so we can thank you! Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:22:18

#164 An Icon-ic Lent with Kristen Wheeler

2/20/2024
How can this Lent be "Icon-ic"? Join Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman on a Lenten journey with Kristen Wheeler as they explore iconography as a spiritual practice. Questions To Ponder: How could engaging with Icons enrich your Lent? Your spiritual life? What is your "favorite" saint - and why? How do you engage in creativity as a spiritual practice? Kristen is a modern iconographer, fine art painter, creative photographer, inspired writer, vivid storyteller, and world explorer. From Kristen: "My soul is stirred by the colorful and dark creation around and within us and I'm influenced by equal parts pain and joy. Studying theology and the saints are my passion and I love nothing more than sharing that passion with others by teaching, preaching, and leading creative-based workshops and retreats. I'm a deeply spiritual individual with friends and family of every spectrum of belief and non-belief. I believe that if you are a good person to yourself and others, the rest of the details are lagniappe (as we say in Louisiana). I believe my only job as a Christian person is to be the best example of Jesus' love I know how to be. I live and love in Southeast Louisiana with my husband, Basset Hound, overly affectionate kitty, and massive collection of house plants, all of which keep me of sound mind and body." Kristen's Websites: moderniconographer.com kristenannwheeler.com Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:34:50

On the Road with Saint Brigid

2/6/2024
Are you ready for a road trip - with St. Brigid? February 1st marks St. Brigid's Feast Day that marks the turning of the winter season to spring. St. Brigid is the feminine patron Saint of Ireland whose life and work centered on caring for the poor and suffering. Some say that she was born on the literal threshold, setting the path of her work in the move and in the in-betweens. For several years, St. Brigid has been the source of many a holy shenanigan, for our host: Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman - and this St. Brigid's Day proves to offer more sacred adventures. Join Rev. Tara as she comes to you, literally, from the road discovering St. Brigid's presence closer than she ever imagined! Questions For Discussion: 1. What is your favorite St. Brigid story? 2. What Saints are you drawn to? Why? 3. In the thresholds of life, where has love surprised you recently? 4. All too soon, everything changes. How do you navigate seasons of change? 5. What kinds of change do you embrace/wrestle with? 6. In the coming of Spring, what are you most looking forward to? Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:10:45

Selah Season

1/23/2024
Tara continues her thoughts about the value of sane spiritual practices with an opportunity to practice, "Selah" for yourself. This week's Scripture focus: Psalm 62. Questions for Discussion: 1. What Spiritual Practices do you enjoy? 2. Are your Spiritual Practices Active or more Contemplative? 3. Do you "Selah", before you Serve? 4. Do you think pause (Selah) should come before Service? Why or why not? 5. If you could give advice to a friend about the value of pause, what would say? 6. Where can you find a pocket for Selah/pause in your day? #sanespiritualpractices Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:12:49

Star Words for 2024 with writer Rev. Katy Stenta

1/8/2024
Welcome to a brand new year of sacred (non-stuffy) Holy Shenanigans! This season is exciting, with opportunities for fresh starts, but can be a time of overwhelming pressure to persue perfection. Well meaning resolutions can go sideways - fueled by sales efforts of the “wellness industry” in service to capitalism. There is another way to engage in new beginnings in ways that feed out hearts, minds and souls. 2024 can be a time to attend to and offer yourself spiritual practices that are supportive, compassionate AND sane! Join Rev. Tara Eastman, as she shares the spiritual practice of choosing an annual “Star Word” and gentle options for spiritual renewal with special guest, author: Rev. Katy Stenza. Katy Stenta is a PCUSA pastor, writer, workshop leader and community builder. She is currently vice moderator for Albany Presbytery, regular contributor to Sermonsuite and leads workshops on writing, particularly prayer and liturgy. Her conversational prayers and psalms are used by people and churches all over the world from KatyandtheWord.com and she is all but dissertation for completing her Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing as a public theologian at Mr Roger' alma mater Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:39:15

Expectant Advent - Love with guest Carolyn Whitehead

12/26/2023
Week 4 Advent into Christmas features special guest, Carolyn Whitehead, member of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY, tells why her "aim is love" - in all things A Poem for Advent: Week Four: Love stuck The greatest of these four weeks of waiting is: love. With all the hope waking, peace-making and joy breaking, I need the glue of love to make this stick. Please stick. I don't want these gifts to disappear like grandma's frosted sugar cookies. But in that case, at least they would be eaten, consumed, and used to empower the making of many snow angels, building of tall Lego towers, or playing marathon sessions of scrabble while sipping tea. Please stay love, I don't want youto melt like snow drifts above 35 degrees.... be crumpled like old gift wrapping... or abandoned on the curb like a used Christmas tree. One candle for hope. Two candles for peace. (Inhale/exhale) Three candles for joy. J-O-Y. Four candles for love. (Please stick, love, please stick.) This Advent, I hope for peace and joy: emboldened - empowered and eternally stuck in our hearts by the power of love. Love - stuck! Light has grown. Four candles are lit. Illuminating the way with hope, peace, joy and the greatest: Love. You are the superglue we need. Please, stick. Copyright 2018 T.L. Eastman Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:17:19

Expectant Advent - Joy with guests Lydia & Eve Kushmal

12/19/2023
Special Guests, Lydia and Eve Kushmal, members of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown NY, share what joy means to them in week three of HSP's 2023 Advent Series. Poem for Advent: Week Three JOY: Just, Outrageous, You! Joy is no wallflower. She, yes she, is bold , sassy and somewhat fearsome. Joy bursts into the room and won't stop grooving', till everyone is on the dance floor. Her name is short, but her actions are memorable; causing laughter to tears in only the best way. Joy is unstoppable. You can't ignore her and you must respect her. She is just. She is outrageous. She has one candle for each letter of her name. Joy will break through all barriers and bring her colorful wonder to you, and you, and you, and you, and Y O U... just, outrageous, you. Joy! Copyright December 2018 Tara Lamont Eastman Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:13:18

Expectant Advent - Peace with guest Dr. Chris Dahlie

12/12/2023
Welcome to Advent Week 2: Peace with special guest Dr. Chris Dahlie , of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY. Dr. Dahlie, wrestles with the call to live peacefully, advocates for better communication and recognizes the challenge this presents to humankind. How can authentic peace be pursued? To follow along with Holy Shenanigans Podcast - and daily posts of #expectantadvent inspiration - visit us at Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. BIO: Dr. Chris Dahlia currently is a visiting assistant professor in the Communication Department in the State University of New York at Fredonia and has been an assistant professor there for the past four years. He is a native of Chautauqua County and a scholar/practitioner in audio production. He has been Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater's Head of Audio for over twenty years, and have worked as a resident audio engineer in New York City, Los Angeles, Auckland (New Zealand) and Chapel Hill (North Carolina). His dissertation at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill was a technological and cultural history of live audio engineering from the mid-1960's to the recent past. A Poem for Advent, Week Two: Peace call Peace calls to... pause, embrace, act, contemplate, and exhale. Pause. Storms make me feel like running and hiding, when I'm frantic, can peace be present Peace. Embrace. In conflicts and hurt that push people apart, is peace working to break the ice? Peace. Act. When anxiety freezes me in inaction, does peace give a warm nudge to move? Peace. Contemplate. When swirls of activity tempt me to do, be and see all things at once... will peace slow me down to savor each beautiful thing? Peace. Exhale. Filling of lungs can only be sweet, when exhale helps me let go of what is no longer of use. Will peace help me to release and fill my heart, mind, and lungs? Peace. Peace calls to...pause fear. Peace calls to...embrace a need for people. Peace calls to... act in life-giving ways. Peace calls to... contemplate beauty. Peace calls to... exhale and trust the oxygen to keep breathing is just on the cusp of letting goooooooo... Light one candle to inhale, light another to exhale. Peace. Peace. Peace. Copyright 2018 Tara L. Eastman Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:22:27

Expectant Advent: Hope with guest Janita Byars

12/5/2023
Welcome to Advent Week 1: Hope with special guest Janita Byars, member of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY. Janita, advocate of hope, shares why this asset is essential for Advent and every season! To follow along with Holy Shenanigans Podcast - and daily posts of #expectantadvent inspiration - visit us at Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. A poem for Advent Week One: Hope... Hope seems as light as a feather, but sparks all good, deep things that are yet to come. Hope is a glimmer of light, in the darkest night. Even in the midst of chaos, hope is the new growth of a fig leaf or bud of the cactus plant; growing slowly to remind us that Jesus is nearby. As the Solstice draws near, days grow darker and colder and a single candle of hope shines. A single candle to wake us up to the promise given. A single candle to stoke the cooling embers of the heart. A single candle to give, " confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." A single candle to do the heavy-lifting and give us...HOPE. Prayer: Help me to be Open to Possibilities Emerging. HOPE. Copyright 2018 T.L.Eastman Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:18:33

Gratitude Matters: Part 3 - A Place for the Child

11/28/2023
Part 3 of HSP's #gratitudematters series features and interview with Mary T. MacDonald (founder of A Children's Place) and current director, Molly Hanft, of A Children's Place Daycare. Mary shares the amazing origin story of the longest running daycare, housed in First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, as Molly tells of how the program has continued to grow for over 50 years. A Children's Place Daycare is currently holding a fundraiser, "A Place For The Child": to purchase new napping cots. The daycare and preschool hosts 55 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, Monday-Friday from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. We are so grateful to Mary and Molly for their work to care for children, keep them safe and help them grow. To learn more visit: A Children's Place Daycare/Preschool Phone: 716-487-2238 Email (Click Red Text to visit the church website) A Children's Place is housed at First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, NY To make a contribution to, "A Place For The Child" Cot Fundraiser - Click here or call the church office at: (716) 487-1984 Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:21:11

Gratitude Matters Part 2: Sleeping With Bread with guest Mary Bogan

11/21/2023
Why does gratitude even matter? In this special Thanksgiving edition of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, Tara talks with her long-time blogging (yes blogging) friend Mary Bogan about the power of observing gratitude practices that began over 15 years ago. Our shared online gratitude practices (Click the green preceding text to read our Blog posts.) were sparked by the book, Sleeping With Bread, by Dennis, Shelia and Matthew Linn. We had no idea that our little Monday shared Blog would change the way we both see the world - as well as our spiritual practices. This little book, and Sleeping With Bread Mondays have changed the course of our lives, and helped us to, "hold on to what gives us life"; over more than 15 years and 2000 miles that separate us. We invite you to try on a new gratitude practice this November (and the months to come). As a source of consolation in our desolation - and good bread for the body, mind and soul! If you want to see how Tara is practicing gratitude all of November, follow her on Instagram at: Holy Shenanigans. To join Mary on her gratitude journey, go to: Quitecontrariantvarientmary To support this podcast go to: Buy Me A Coffee Tara Eastman (An introduction to the Linn's Book, Sleeping With Bread) What is Sleeping with Bread? During the bombing raids of WWII, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow." (Linn, Dennis et al, Sleeping With Bread, p.l) Prompts To Try Your Own Examen Practice: Other Ways of Asking the Question For what am I most grateful? Least grateful? When did I give and receive the most love? The least love? When did I feel most alive? Most drained of life? When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? Least sense of belonging? When was I most free? Least free? When was I most creative? Least creative? When did I feel most connected? Least connected? When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself? When did I feel most whole? Most fragmented? Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:41:50

Gratitude Matters Part 1: Origin Story

11/7/2023
As we turn the calendar into November we enter a season many connect with Thanksgiving and Gratitude. For years now, I have engaged in a gratitude practice throughout all of November. How do I engage in gratitude practices? I take photos of things I am grateful for. I share poems that bring me joy and hope. I share scripture that inspires me. This week I share my origin story of gratitude practice and how it connects to my appreciation of and writing of poetry. Would you like to join me in this month of gratitude practice? Here are some prompts to get you started... What Gratitude practices are meaningful to you? Where did they first come into your life? Who introduced you to them? If you are interested in our monthly enewsletter and joining us for a real-time Zoom gathering this month. Reach out to us at: holyshenaniganspodcast@gmail.com Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:14:05

Jaded: But Still Loving Love with Author Marla Taviano

10/24/2023
Even when your "Jaded", you can't help yourself from loving love. This week's guest Marla Taviano is a poet and author of the book: 'Jaded: a poetic reckoning with white evangelical christian indoctrination' Marla Taviano (she/her) is into books, love, justice, globes, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart on her t-shirts, and is on a mission/quest/journey to live wholefarted (not a typo). She's the author of unbelieve and jaded, and writes weekly poems at marlataviano.substack.com. IG:https://www.instagram.com/marlataviano/and https://www.instagram.com/whitegirllearning/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@marlataviano Website: marlataviano.com Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:37:04

Powerful Parables with Lisa Combs of Best Friends Books

10/10/2023
How do you create a more peaceful, happy world and peaceful happy kids? Through the power of parables and story and the help of children’s books that focus on development of positive social emotional skills: self awareness, relationship awareness, social awareness, emotional self management and responsible decision making. In episode 153, Tara talks with children's author Lisa Combs, from Best Friend Books, discusses the purpose of parables in the gospel of Matthew, and offers the following quote from author William Broderick: "Once you've heard a child cry out to heaven for help, and go unanswered, nothing's ever the same again. Nothing. Even God changes. But there is a healing hand at work that cannot be deflected from its purpose. I just can't make sense of it, other than to cry. Those tears are part of what it is to be a monk. Out there, in the world, it can be very cold. It seems to be about luck, good and bad, and the distribution is absurd. We have to candles, burning between hope and despair, faith and doubt, life and death, all the opposites." Taken from Celtic Daily Prayer Book Two Farther Up and Farther In p.888 ©2015 The Northumbria Community Trust Questions for discussion: 1. What book or parable has made the most impact in your life? 2. Do you have a favorite parable in the Bible? What is it and why? 3. What questions came up as you listened to this episode? You can send them to us (and request to sign up for our email newsletter) at HSP at: holyshenaniganspodcast@gmail.com We have over 30 book titles at: www.bestfriendbooks.com Best Friend Books YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@BestFriendBooks?si=HBBvELZbjKV8LYhm Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:29:11

Words of Wonder with Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof at Wild Goose Festival

9/26/2023
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 Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:22:05

A Twenty Year Tale of Holy Shenanigans with Doug Pagitt and Rev. Tara L. Eastman

9/12/2023
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. Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:38:24

Faith in Harm Reduction with Rev. Erica Poellot

8/29/2023
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 Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:33:33

Youth Are Either Leading Or Leaving with Lyle Griner

8/15/2023
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> Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:26:18

Spiritual Companionship with Jon Carl Lewis at the Wild Goose Festival

8/1/2023
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. Tara invites you to join her online discussion group this Lent. You'll be discussing the book A Different Kind of Fast: Feeding Our True Hungers in Lent by Christine Valters Paintner. 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.

Duration:00:23:21