Uphill idealist

If I could, I'd take all of the favorite days and place them in a frame. This would be perfect, except there are too many moments to fit any size frame. There were dreams - and they came true. There a people I longed to meet - and did. There are songs that were written - and played. There were paintings painted - and displayed. There were broken hearts - and they were mended. There were strangers - and now they are dear to me. All of this - all of these people are infinity. They can't fit into a frame, but they can reside... in my memory, in my heart  and  in my pockets... I'm taking you with me. Poem and image by T.L. Eastman copyright 2015

Over the last two years, First Lutheran Church has been making an intentional effort to reach out into their surrounding neighborhood by using their parish house, “First House” as a place for community gathering and outreach. Since January, First House has been open to the public every Friday afternoon for a time dubbed “Friday’s with Friends”.  “Friday’s with Friends” is a free coffee house that offers youth and adults coffee, cookies, and comfortable-supervised space for conversation, reading and playing board games. (Janet Wahlberg, Kairie Williams, and Jim Wahlberg) Every Friday is run with a team of volunteers from the church and community. The summer time hours will be from 1-3pm each Friday or when our open sign is placed outside by the sidewalk to the front and kitchen entrances of the building on 116 Chandler Street. Earlier this year, First Lutheran Church was awarded the Karl Peterson Field of Interest Fund by theCommunity Region Community Founda...

A few years ago, several art friends and I were part of an art project at Rogers Elementary School that helped say farewell to the school. The usage of the school would be shifting to a place of storage and office space and the students would be moving to other locations for classes. Over the course of a month, each student and staff person was invited to create a painting on canvas cloth to mark their favorite aspects of the school: memories, people, classes, and what they learned in their time there.  The image to the left was my painting. The girl in the image is taking a cutting of the plant that grew there and taking it with her as she continues to "change, move and grow." Over the past three years, I've been in the ongoing process of studying with the Theological Education for Emerging Ministry with Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. This July, I will complete my studies with the program and continue on my journey towards ordained ministry. In going forward in...

2015 Detroit Youth Gathering PSA Baskets-full of Empowerment for local youth July 15 to 19, 2015 marks the whirlwind week for the triannual Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s National Youth Gathering in Detroit, MI. The almost week-long trip will engage youth in grades 9 to 12 in service projects, education and opportunity to worship with over 30,000 Lutheran youth from across the United States. For the last three years a local Lutheran team, (Emily Magnuson, Kirsten Magnuson, Emily Whitney, Lydia Gozdalski, Caylee Shelters, Darcy Whitney and Vicar Tara Eastman) have been raising funds and making preparations for this summer’s mission and education trip to Detroit. A major fundraiser and team building project will take place on Friday June 12th at 7pm in the parlors of First Lutheran Church. This fundraiser will include a basket raffle (basket donations are welcome) and a screening of the documentary film, “The Empowerment Project”. The Film The Empowerment Pr...

It's a work in progress, but I wanted to share a glimpse of what I've been working on for the last several months. The mural is located at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown NY and has been a community effort of the True Sisterhood Jamestown group . It is a rendition of the seasons of a year represented by a tree and landscape scene that changes within the piece.  It's to help depict the Sunday School theme of, "Growing and known in Christ.  Thank you for all your help team TS. We are 90% done! By Easter week this project will be complete! Stay tuned art friends...

Today marked Jamestown's second annual "Out of the Darkness Walk" for the prevention of suicide. This walk is a fundraising effort of the American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide or the AFSP . While it can be difficult to discuss loss as a result of a suicide, this agency and the people walking today bravely walked to lift up the need for greater support for and connection with mental health resources. It was a great honor to participate in this walk today with some members of True Sisterhood Jamestown , a women's fellowship group from First Lutheran Church of Jamestown, as well as many local agencies and individuals willing to speak up for those who have died as a result of suicide. This walk was filled with an atmosphere of hope, support and was a coming together of people from all walks of life - to honor those we miss and to work to help others who struggle to walk in the light. At the conclusion of the walk, balloons that ...

Hebrews 11 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”   Image: Hope at my door by Katie Finch \ When I was a child, my mom had a collection of odd socks tossed into a basket in the laundry room. The mates to these socks were long gone, but she would hold on to them for dusting and various household chores. Sometimes, I’d ask my mom if I could have a few of the odd socks and I’d dig out scraps of fabric, buttons and yarn to create puppets out of those odds and ends. What one person might discard, another person with a little imagination can create opportunities for renewal and hope. This creative rethinking is something that applies not only to odd socks, but to the mission and ministry of the church. According to recent research, the top spir...

The last time I had a change in my name was my wedding 21 years ago. This time around there is a change to the prefix before my name - that change is "Vicar”. A "Vicar" according to the ELCA  (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) is a seminarian who is assigned to a congregation as an intern for one year. This typically involves the student working with a senior pastor and a committee of the church to support the development of the seminarian. Last Sunday, a Service of Beginning took place at First Lutheran Church to mark the beginning of my year long internship. It's been a whirlwind since last April, when I was approved by my Candidacy Committee to pursue Seminary and the role of Minister of Word and Sacrament. There is a great deal of learning still ahead, but I'm taking a moment to pause and let this change, this prefix, to soak in. Last year at this time, I was looking forward to the hope that "someday" I'd attend seminary and b...

This year in our Shared Confirmation Program, we used Sparkhouse's re:form curriculum and DVDs, enjoyed a Autumn retreat together and integrated Art and Prayer elements to the expereince.The heart image below is a prayer process of weaving hopes and sorrows in a visual manner. This exercise was adapted from my friend Lynne Farrow's resource book:  Art Making and Metaphor Last Sunday, this group of youth, their parents and teaching team had an opportunity to meet at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center to share in a time of games, art making, food and fellowship. The banner project was begun by our Create Fellowship that meets on a monthly basis at First Lutheran Church. This group designed the banner, transferred this design on a canvas painters drop cloth by using masking tape as a guide, and began painting the banner. Acrylic paints (found at a Walmart or Michael's) were applied to the canvas to create the Pentecost themed design with wind, fir...

Supplies: Square large sheet of card stock, scissors, glue stick, yarn or ribbon, Bible verse of choice, Valentine inspired artwork and markers. Build Valentine Pocket of Care: 1.Turn square card stock so points face N, S, E, W .  2. Fold South point up to create pocket base and west and east to the middle. 3.  Glue in place and then place pap er with text on top of the intersection. 4. With a hold punch make a hold at top to attach string to hang. 5.  On scrap paper, write ways to care for family and friends for the month. 6. Take one a day out and challenge each other to care of someone new! This project was made with our Family Devotions Group at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown NY. . If you need some inspiration for the caring "coupons", check out the Search Institute for more information or  reference the list provided below.  15 0 ways to show kids you care Notice them. Smile a lot. Acknowledge them. Learn their ...

This Sunday at 1pm, Abbi Rajasekhar will be playing a live music set at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown NY. This concert does not have a standard door fee, however please bring a dish of food to share (as we all will share a meal together), a non-perishable food item to donate to Joint Neighborhood Project and a little cash to help Abbi put gas in her tank for this leg of her Fall Tour. Take a moment. Watch and listen. Your ears - and heart are about to get a treat you'll want to experience again - this Sunday, @ First Lutheran Church Parlors, 1PM. My Heart in My Hands Abbi Rajasekhar | Myspace Music Videos

Rooted & Linked from Parish Collective on Vimeo . My new friend Paul Sparks , who I met at Inhabit Conference this Spring, is going to be hitting the road and heading to the East coast to share about his ongoing work with Parish Collective . He hopes to meet with local leaders of non-profits, churches, and community organizations to develop networks to respond to the needs of grass roots communities. Late in September, we hope to host Paul at First Lutheran Church , in order to make daring steps into mission in the mist of our local neighborhoods. If you live in the Buffalo to Chautauqua area, please leave a comment if you would like to take part in this network. Grace and peace,  Tara

From July 9-13 I'm working with an amazing team of 4 different Lutheran churches (Holy Trinity, Bethel Lutheran, Immanuel Lutheran and First Lutheran) to provide a free VBS program for children ages 3-12 called "SKY". The theme for the week is "All things are possible with God!" The preparation and planning for "Sky" started with a team of leaders from all four churches last fall and we've continued together on this huge effort all the way through to this weeks program. Two weeks ago a group of volunteers spent countless hours: painting, carrying, and climbing to build the main stage set up, and decorating each station the groups of children will rotate through daily.  Many people have made lists and purchased supplies for 125 youth and staff, as well as practiced skits, music, and Bible lessons to get ready for this week's event. At this point I don't have total staff/attendee numbers - but that will come s...

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est. Live in charity and steadfast love. Live in charity; God will dwell with you. Charity is a word that most people don't use - or don't like to use. When I think of charity the phrase "Don't live off others charity", comes to mind. Somehow, charity's meaning has shifted to the space of being dependent on a great benefactor or bleeding off of someone else for something you want. According to dictionary.com, charity is: char·i·ty   [char-i-tee] noun, plural -ties. 1.generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless: to devote one's life to charity. 2.something given to a person or persons in need; alms: She asked for work, not charity. 3.a charitable act or work. 4.a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: He left his estate to a charity. 5.benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor: She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity. When considering the definitions above...

Image found at Hayward Library website. This Thursday Middle and High school youth will be visiting Lutheran Social Services residents from 6:30-8:30pm and holding a costume parade followed with group time in the Chapel. (Please wear friendly costumes that would be fun for the residents as well as youth.) This activity is coordinated with SLYM: Shared Lutheran Youth Ministry. If you need more info on SLYM, click on the following link: SLYM. This Friday (October 28th) First Lutheran Church's Member support and outreach committee will be hosting a community Halloween Party from 3:30-5pm. This party is geared for kids 12 and under, but if you are older you are welcome to attend or help. We will be having games, snacks and a parade of costumes. Happy Halloween - it's going to be a beary fun time!For more information call 969-3950.

Sunday school banner for 2011-12 school year at First Lutheran Church of Jamestown . “God has a way of working dot-to-dot of our lives. For the last almost two years, I’ve been searching for a continuing education program specific to the ministry situation here at First Lutheran Church. I knew it had to be something I could do from Jamestown, it had to require a minimal amount of travel, it needed to engage my heart and mind and it had to apply to and assist me in the work I do on a daily basis. In February, my husband came across a book called, “The God bearing life.” by: Kenda Creasy Dean. In this book he learned about a Certificate program specific to current trends in youth and family ministry that fit all the requirements I’d hoped to find…” Click here to read the original post. Over a year ago now, I gave a version of this essay as a talk at the 9am Sunday service. I’m sharing it with you, because the idea of God connecting our dots is one that has carried throughout the time ...