Pictured is Tara Eastman, First Presbyterian Church’s new transitional pastor in Jamestown who started in January. Eastman grew up in the Jamestown and Western New York area. Submitted photo

First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown has chosen former Jamestown resident, Tara Eastman, to serve as a transitional pastor.

A transitional pastor is one who helps a church during the time of changing between permanent pastors. They fill out a contract for a certain period of time to help the church prepare for a new person to come into the permanent position. Sometimes the transitional pastor is then chosen to be the permanent one.

Eastman herself grew up in the Jamestown and Western New York area. She has previously served at a Lutheran church, but came back to the area when asked by First Presbyterian.

“An opportunity arose to come back to the area through First Presbyterian,” Eastman said. “We talked through a few phone calls and it turned out they needed help in areas that I had experience in, so we decided to pursue the work together.”

In 2020, Eastman was serving in central New York near Syracuse, and in January returned to Jamestown to take up the transitional pastor position. She also still has a residence and family in Jamestown.

Eastman said while her role is specifically known as a transitional one, she thought everyone who served a church has had to deal with transition.

“All clergy are transitional pastors in one way or another,” she said. “There is so much transition in life and we have to know how to navigate those things and help others as well.”

What Eastman is most proud of at the moment is being able to return home to serve.

“I am both proud and thankful for the offer to serve my home community in a new way,” Eastman said. “It’s a way to connect back to my home and friends while also serving God. I am also very proud of my current podcast. It’s called ‘Holy Shenanigans’ and it focuses on spiritual conversation and bringing that to a wide audience.”

As she helps the church move into the future, Eastman hopes to bring attention to some of the church’s lesser known programs.

“Lots of things go on here,” she said. “We have the Children’s Place, which is a preschool and daycare. We offer games and clubs such as bridge and art classes. It’s a warm, welcoming, beautiful space.”

One other important ministry that Eastman wanted to highlight that the church has started in the last month is the Web of Warmth ministry. The ministry consists of a line of yarn alongside the outside of the church on the side that faces Prendergast Avenue and East Sixth Street, which holds a collection of hats, coats and scarves for those in need of warm winter clothes. The church is also collecting items to add to their Web of Warmth.

During the season of Lent, First Presbyterian is hosting midweek worship services on Wednesdays from 11:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a soup lunch following. Regular Sunday worship starts at 10:30 a.m., with 9:30 a.m. Sunday School and 9 a.m. choir practice. The church is located at 509 Prendergast Avenue.

Eastman encouraged anyone looking to donate items for the Web of Warmth to contact her at revtleatman@gmail.com. For more information about First Presbyterian they can be found on Facebook or at firstpresjamestown.com. Eastman’s podcast is available at holyshenanigans.buzzsprout.com.