Holy Shenanigans

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. 

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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/

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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.

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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.

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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 [email protected].

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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? 

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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.

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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.

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.

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 - [email protected]
Facebook me - @AskJohnFong

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Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman is a pastor, podcaster and host of Holy Shenanigans since September of 2020.  Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts. She is a graduate of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministry Program and the Youth and Theology Certificate Program at Princeton Seminary. She has served in various ministry and pastoral roles over the last thirty years in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) and PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of America).  She is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Warren Pennsylvania. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity at the Wild Goose Festival. She is a trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities.