Tara Lamont Eastman

Pastor Tara Lamont Eastman has accepted the call to become the minister at First Presbyterian Church of Warren effective Oct. 27.

Eastman is a writer, musician, artist and practitioner of practical theology. Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts in numerous projects locally in Western New York and nationally. 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 30 years in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church of America.

Eastman was published by 1517 Media (a division of Augsburg Fortress) in youth Sunday School and confirmation curriculum; and has been blogging for more than 10 years at Uphill Idealist (lamont-uphill.blogspot.com/).

Eastman combines her love of ministry with her love of writing, music and visual arts in numerous community mural projects in Western New York and nationally. She was the artist-in-residence and member of the faculty at the 2013 Forums on Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, was the artist-in-residence and workshop presenter at the 2012 Inhabit Conference in Seattle, Wash. She has presented workshops on the topics of faith and creativity in 2023 and 2024 at the Wild Goose Festival.

Eastman has been serving as the transitional pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, Trainer for Soul Shop Suicide Prevention for Church Communities and is the creator/host of the Holy Shenanigans Podcast.

Eastman lives in southwestern New York with her spouse of 32 years, Ian. They are parents to Heather (31) and Nigel (27) as well as grandparents to Owen (11). Eastman said she loves a good book, strong coffee, time in the outdoors, trips to art museums and going on adventures with family and friends.