A Twenty Year Tale of Holy Shenanigans:

Wildgoose Journal 2#: Doug Pagitt bought my first beer

Seriously though, Doug Pagitt bought me my first beer at age 30 something. I had grown up in a church tradition where alcohol was not permitted, so I was something of a late bloomer in trying something so common as a beer. My spouse and I were attending an Emergent Pittsburgh event where Doug was the presenting speaker. At the end of the day, the leadership invited us to go to dinner with them at The Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh. It was at this dinner that I took note of the other guests enjoying a tall cool one, and asked the waiter what they might suggest for a brand new beer taster to try. All the while, I was doing my best to keep this conversation quiet, but Doug was delighted upon leaning my lack of beer knowledge and shouted from the end of the table, "I'm buying the lady at the end her first beer!" My face flushed as all eyes were on me - but as cool as I could play it, I asked the waiter for a glass of, "Pious Monk", and said; "That seems appropriate!" as the table of guests erupted in more laughter. 

Far beyond the refreshing drink, Doug's writing and teaching helped me to realize that I was not alone in what we were just beginning to understand as the "Emerging Church". There was Emergent Village and the  support and community care from the leaders from Emergent Pittsburgh. The support of this community helped me as I led an Emerging Church over 3 hours north. This community, I would learn quickly, was essential for my own journey that would eventually lead me to become an ordained pastor in an entirely different church denomination. 

This summer at the Wild Goose Festival, Doug Pagitt and I had another opportunity to catch up and talk about the long and winding road of life, ministry and many, many experiences of Holy Shenanigans. Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 join us for a twenty year tale of Holy Shenanigans in Episode #150 - also the 3rd Birthday of Holy Shenanigans Podcast, since it's beginning in September 2020. Help us celebrate, by listening, writing a review on Apple Podcasts and sharing your favorite episode with a friend. 

I hope this weeks conversation, will be the encouragement that will help you in your own spiritual journey!

Link to this weeks podcast episode: A Twenty Year Tale of Holy Shenanigans

Rev. Tara L. Eastman