By Jenelle Waitman (Westmont Urban Program, Fall 2007)
From the top of Bernal Hill, the city of San Francisco looks as small as it really is. Though only a mere seven miles by seven miles, the complexity and variety of this city usually make it feel much larger; but here, from this clarifying vantage point, Mark Scandrette, co-founder of ReImagine and author of Soul Graffiti, invites students to see the city in a different way.
From the top of Bernal Hill, the city of San Francisco looks as small as it really is. Though only a mere seven miles by seven miles, the complexity and variety of this city usually make it feel much larger; but here, from this clarifying vantage point, Mark Scandrette, co-founder of ReImagine and author of Soul Graffiti, invites students to see the city in a different way.
“Today, I want you to look for God in unusual places,” Scandrette implores as he sends the twenty-four students (and a few faculty members) of the Westmont Urban Program down the hill with a map and a mission. For Scandrette, these “city walks” are daily routine, and he, as well as others in his ReImagine community, are accustomed to helping others discover their benefits. “As a collective of artists, activists, educators, tech professionals and social entrepreneurs we invite people into conversations, projects and community experiences that explore the question: ‘How can we cultivate a way of life together that leads to greater wholeness for ourselves and our world?’” (www.reimagine.org).
ReImagine is a San Francisco-based community started by a group known as Seven, who, in 2005, “began an experiment in missional community.” They define themselves as “a generative community of people who seek to live out a common way of life fueled and inspired by the life, message and power of Jesus.” (www.reimagine.org). ReImagine is one of several facets of the post-modern movement known as the Emergent Church, which attempts to redefine Christianity in terms of modern culture and society.
The Emergent Church places great emphasis on the “story” which every individual has to tell. Thus, one of the goals of these city walks is the composition of a poem by each person, which can later be shared with the group. “Writing the poem helped me see the experience in an artistic way, and, when you think in terms of art, you think about people differently because you’re looking for the beauty,” said Teri Tan (senior).
In his book Soul Graffiti, Scandrette shares his own story of attempting to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the flourishing yet wounded Mission District of San Francisco. The book, released April of this year (Jossey-Bass, publisher), is meant to challenge readers to revolutionize their lives by seeking the kingdom of God through the lens of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the exploration of spirituality through imagination and art, containing some of Scandrette’s own ‘slam’ poetry/prayers, which can also be found on the book’s website: soulgraffitibook.com.
Sometimes a return to basics is needed to restore our priorities. As Jesus walked through his villages, we followed a similar path in this Post-Christian ‘global village’. A walk to remember; a place to embrace.
