Uphill idealist

  Today is the 7th Anniversary of Ordination Day. What a wild and wonderful seven years so far! Gratitude to God, my family and all who have traveled this road of ministry alongside me. “I swing in the grasp of Thy Great Love, Thy Great Love’s strength.” holyshenaniganspodcast #pastorlife #womeninministry #lovewins

Wednesday was a day to buy a bunch of gorgeous flowers for no reason.  But, was it actually for no reason?  They were $14.  They smelled gorgeous.  They made me smile.  They helped me stand in hope for something good that is yet to be. This is more than enough reason to take $14 flowers home. Where can you treat yourself to hope today? #gratitudematters #holyshenaniganspodcast

What can painted rocks do?  This was my question in May as I was considering what mini community art project to engage with this summer.  In time, I decided to start with rock painting for its accessibility and simplicity adding the #loverocks and #fpcjtn   Since June over 100 rocks have been painted by an over 50 people. Some of the rocks are in the garden at church - others all over Jamestown. Some well beyond Chautauqua County.  But yesterday morning I witnessed a moment that clarified why I’ve been lugging all these rocks around.  A grandmother and grandchild walked past a garden and paused to look at the colorful rocks, they smiled, they made a good memory and continued their walk, carrying a bit of joy with them.  This is the whole point. Share love. Share joy. Take it with you. We need it.  Thanks be for painted rocks. 

  Wildgoose Journal 1#:  Prepared for Everything? Last Wednesday morning, Ian and I filled up our Subaru with all the provisions we needed for our annual “glamping” trip to the Wildgoose Festival in Union Grove, NC. ( If you would like to learn more about the Festival, go to: https://wildgoosefestival.org/ The list of what to bring was quite extensive: Clothes for the variety of weather we would experience, water for hydration, power bars - for what else but energy, camp chairs, cash for concessions and and a notebook to gather ideas and inspiration from over 300 classes, workshops, lectures, table talks, music and art exhibits! In addition to the official opportunities for learning, there are the in-between conversations that fill every pocket of time with joy and wonder. We were prepared to take in what we could - all the while knowing there is no way to experience everything the event offers. It’s just not humanly - or physically possible to do so.  I know that this i...

  I was around six-years-old when I first went to sleep-away summer camp.  At the time I lived in PA and the camp (through my church) was in Ohio. All school year, I attended Sunday School faithfully partially because regular attendance allowed my family scholarships to help with the cost of Summer Camp. Over the school year, I attended most Sunday's and by the end of the year, my little coupon book was full of stamps - providing me with a scholarship to attend a camp session. I provide this background on how I first got to go to camp, because it is an essential part of explaining what Summer Camp meant (and means) to me.   Going away to Summer Camp gave me a whole new experience of community. The whole process of going to and attending was the first times I experienced, "it takes a village", personally. From the Sunday School Teachers who drove a sedan full of kids to Ohio, to the counselors and staff who supported new campers: through the first 48 hours of homesick...

If I were to have a  conversation with change about changing a mind, this is how I imagine it mig ht go… “You're here. I did not expect you n ow.                Change. “What do you expect?             Change. “What are you asking me to do – who are you asking me to become?”             Change. “I’ve never heard this before.”           Change your mind “ This is different than what I thought before.   I’m learning something new.”           Change your mind “I’m not sure I know everything I should. This is a good. This is hard.           Changing your mind “I wish I didn’t have so much to  learn.   I care about you – I’m willing to try.  ...

There is nothing better than a windy day. One that arrives, with almost, too-much-force. Disheveling hair. Opening the door of my soul. Stealing the sound of my laughter like a game of hide and seek. Whipping around my arms and legs. Holding space for me to ebb and flow – Like the seagull held secure in her head-first, wing-flapping, flight. Going somewhere and nowhere at the same time. This is a playful space to pull and press worry, hope, and wonder in and around me. Refreshing, drawing out, and channeling away,  everything that keeps me from flying. Copyright September 2020 T.L. Eastman