Tara reflects on Matthew 4:1–4, where Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, fasts for 40 days in the wilderness and faces the accuser’s first temptation to turn stones into bread. She connects Jesus’ response—recalling God’s provision—to Jesus’ grounding in the Torah and his calling to be the bread of life. She also explores stones as Old Testament markers of encounters with God (Jacob’s pillow and Joshua’s stones), suggesting stone and bread symbolize God’s presence and provision even in temptation. She offers reflection questions, a Lenten practice of carrying a stone with a prayer, and shares her poem “A Stone to Re-member."

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Join Tara for Worship on Sunday morning at 10 am. Warren First Presbyterian Church at 300 Market Street in Warren Pennsylvania. A live stream is provided via FaceBook for people out of the region... During Lent Tara is facilitating a book club based on Madeline L'Engle's book A Circle of Quiet. Tuesday mornings at 10;30 am at the church.

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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.

Tara and guest Rev. Ellen Corcella—author of "Walk With Me: A Journey Through the Landscape of Trauma" and host of Faith and Resilience Podcast—talk about resilience during Lent and in everyday life. They discuss resilience as both internal and beyond oneself, rooted in meaning-making, adaptability, and connection rather than individualism. Tara shares her evolving definition of theopoetics as creative engagement with God in community, and reflects on Julian of Norwich’s hazelnut vision—God made it, loves it, and keeps it—as a grounding way to notice “thin spaces” of the sacred in ordinary moments. Tara describes practices like Lectio Divina and Visio Divina, using scripture, art, doodling, and poetry for contemplation, and reads her poem “Thin Space Day,” which locates pilgrimage-like holiness in daily routines (carpool, mailbox walks, lunchtime, coffee, commutes). The conversation connects thin spaces to Lent’s wilderness metaphor, emphasizes God’s presence in both mountaintops and valleys, and reframes “all manner of things be well” (AMOT) as holding both consolation and desolation. Ellen shares where to find her book, podcast and website (www.ellencorcella.com).

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Join Tara for Worship on Sunday morning at 10 am. Warren First Presbyterian Church at 300 Market Street in Warren Pennsylvania. A live stream is provided via FaceBook for people out of the region... During Lent Tara is facilitating a book club based on Madeline L'Engle's book A Circle of Quiet. Tuesday mornings at 10;30 am at the church.

Support the show

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.

Think Lent is only about giving things up? Join Tara as she describes the season as a way to “make room” - for meditation, reflection, and acts of service. She invites you to take up a new spiritual practice or write your own spiritual autobiography. She describes how two stories - Madeleine L’Engle’s Circle of Quiet & the Transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17 - taught her that transformation involves commitment, community, and action.

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Support the show

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.

Tara interviews Dr. Crystal Hall from Crystal Hall Coaching about supporting and affirming women in ministry. Dr. Hall shares her journey, the challenges women face in ministry, and the importance of cultivating sustainable and life-giving ministries. The conversation explores themes of patriarchal structures and the significance of women's voices in proclaiming the gospel. Listen in on an inspiring discussion of the intersections of St. Brigid's Day, earth traditions, and the contributions of women saints like Brigid and Hildegard of Bingen.

Hearth Keeper Prayer of St. Brigid - from St. Brigids.org

Brigid of the Mantle, encompass us,
Lady of the Lambs, protect us,
Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us.

Beneath your mantle, gather us,
And restore us to memory.
Mothers of our mother,

Foremothers strong.

Guide our hands in yours,
Remind us how to kindle the hearth.
To keep it bright, to preserve the flame.
Your hands upon ours,

Our hands within yours,
To kindle the light,

Both day and night.

The Mantle of Brigid about us,
The Memory of Brigid within us,
The Protection of Brigid keeping us
From harm, from ignorance, from heartlessness.

This day and night,
From dawn till dark,

From dark till dawn.

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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.

Tara welcomes Emily Goodstein, the Founder + CEO of Greater Good Strategy. They discuss how to find fulfillment and purpose while contributing to the greater good. Emily shares her journey of establishing a digital marketing and fundraising firm that supports mission-driven organizations, emphasizing the power of community and sustainable work practices. She wears really cool glasses too!

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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.

Kickstart the New Year as we embrace 2026 through the lens of love-inspired New Year's resolutions. Dive into reflections from Bonnie Smith Whitehouse's 'Season of Wonder' and hear uplifting stories of simple, everyday acts of love—from sharing pens and art to donning joy sweaters and making Sunday soup. Let's explore how ordinary gestures can bring more life, liberation, creation, and love into our world. Join us in walking the way of love in this special New Year's episode.

Gratitude to Rev. Ellen Corcella for her support of HSP!

Book References:

Seasons of Wonder by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse - at Instagram

Crone Zone by Nina Bargiel - Slack Mistress at Instagram

Places to Visit:

The Plaza Restaurant

Bough and Bend Floral

First Presbyterian Church of Warren, PA

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Support the show

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.

Join pastor and podcaster Tara Lamont Eastman as she explores the sacredness in everyday life during the Advent season. This episode delves into the significance of the Advent wreath, the lighting of the pink candle for Gaudete Sunday, and the story of a special purple and pink stole gifted to Tara. Through personal anecdotes, biblical stories, and inspirational quotes, Tara invites listeners to embrace joy, love, and everyday acts of kindness as we journey toward Christmas. Tune in for blessings, reflections, and a call to celebrate the holy shenanigans of the season.

To learn more about Lori Kochanski's weaving, visit here

The Poet, Cleo Wade's website is: https://cleowade.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.

Welcome to Season 7 of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast with Tara Lamont Eastman. This Advent-themed episode explores the intersection of faith and art through storytelling, reflections on hope and peace, and poetry. Tara shares a personal story from the AKG Art Museum and introduces the concept of theopoetics—speaking about the divine through the arts. Dive into the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love as we journey through Advent. Featuring insights from theologians Shelly Rambo and Heather Walton, and a poignant poem by Morgan Harper Nichols, this episode invites listeners to pause amid the holiday rush and reflect on the sacredness in everyday life.

Show notes:

The painting referenced in this episode is Mäntykoski Waterfall’, by Finnish Artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

Thanks to musician and poet Morgan Harper Nichols for her permission to share her poem, Dark Purple.

Gratitude to Theopoets - Professors Shelly Rambo and Heather Walton for their theological resources.

Advent readings:

HOPE
Light one candle to watch for Messiah.
One little flame illuminates the darkness.
Little flame, even from a distance, you offer
Warmth and welcome, even in our wandering.
We set out in HOPE, that God fulfills the promise…

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." Isaiah 2:3

PEACE
Light two candles to watch for Messiah.
Two flames shine and give light to help us:
see, navigate, and travel safely on our Advent journey.
We carry PEACE with us, to gently be led homeward.

“The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:2

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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.