ReImagine

For me, the liminality of autumn, more than any season, triggers delicious nostalgia and strange hope. Something about the chill in the air and the shortening of days evokes the temporality of life and the fullness of time. It is a season of harvest energy.

In early September nearly 30 people crowded into our Mission District house to explore and connect around what ReIMAGINE is up to. And on September 15th we began The ABOLITION PROJECT, which includes community outreach work with S.A.G.E. in San Francisco neighborhoods where trafficking is known to occur. You can read my reflection about recent Experiences in Brothels and Strip Clubs. Here:
http://www.markscandrette.com/2009/10/01/the-connection-between-human-trafficking-and-sexuality/

We invite you to consider participating in our public events for October and November. Please let us know that you plan on attending by registering at eventbrite.com

Shalom,

–Mark  Scandrette

Founder & Executive Director of ReIMAGINE!

Author of SOUL GRAFFITI: Making A Life in the Way of Jesus
The ABOLITION Project fundraising art event.
October 23rd 6:30-9:30 P.M.
http://abolitionartevent.eventbrite.com/

This evening is the culmination of a six-week human rights advocacy project, and includes an art installation, spoken word performance, live music and film that chronicles the journey towards ABOLITION and invites you to come along.  Drinks & light refreshments provided. $5 cover with more opportunities to give. All proceeds to benefit the local work of The S.A.G.E. (Standing Against Global Exploitations) and the international work of The SOLD Project.

Living Stories: A Theological Soirée with Dr. Daniel Kirk, hosted by Mark Scandrette
Monday October 26th, 7-9:30 P.M.
http://livingstories.eventbrite.com/
Free

At its worst, theology is an ivory tower discipline for the over-educated. At its best, good scholarship and theology can inform and inspire vibrant living communities of love and faith. With this soirée we hope to create an interactive space where a generative conversation can occur between theologians and practitioners.  Join us and bring a bottle of wine or a party snack to share.

Daniel Kirk is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Fuller Seminary Northern California. He and his family forsook their east coast roots last summer in favor of the San Francisco fog and the Fuller faculty. His book Unlocking Romans: Resurrection and the Justification of God explores how Jesus’ resurrection leads Paul to creatively reimagine what it means to be the faithful people of God, and what it means for God to be faithful to that people. Daniel strives to be an agent of new creation through creative exercise of the spiritual gift of sarcasm, loving care for his wife and kids, witty posts on Twitter and Facebook, and brewing of exceptionally good beer.

The Jesus Dojo: A Path to Action Community and Change
How to start your own Jesus-inspired  group experiments
October 29th 6:30-9:30 P.M.
http://jesusdojo.eventbrite.com/
$15-$40 (sliding scale)

So many of us want to live in the Way of Jesus—pursuing a life that is deeply soulful, connected to our real needs and good news to our world.  Yet so often our methods of spiritual formation are individualistic, information driven or disconnected from every day life. We are simply not experiencing the kind of transformation that is the historically expected result of the Christ phenomenon. Perhaps what we need is a Jesus Dojo—a path for growth that is more like a karate studio than a college lecture hall. If you are intrigued by Reimagine’s experimental approach to formation and community life, come to this one night training event to learn how you can create you own Jesus-Dojo.

SIMPLIFY: A life planning and money management workshop
Finding a Path Toward Greater Freedom & Creativity(In an era of scarcity and greed)

http://simplify09.eventbrite.com/
Tuesday November 3, 6:30-9:30 P.M. Tuesday Nov. 10-Dec. 1, 7-9 P.M.
$50-$100 Sliding scale (Workshop & Learning Lab– recommended)
$10-$20 Sliding scale (Workshop only)
(scholarships available upon request. Contact info@reimagine.org)

With the rising costs of basic necessities and the uncertainty of our current economy, many of us feel challenged to live within our means and pursue our dreams. At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the disproportionate privilege we possess in comparison with the world’s majority. What does it mean live justly and sustainably in a culture of prosperity and materialism?  How can we apply the radical economic teachings of Jesus to our current life context?

Through this three hour workshop we will examine what Jesus taught about time, money and possessions and explore how we might translate important themes into life practices:  Abundance, Gratefulness, Contentment, Trust, Generosity, Simplicity & frugality. Whether you tend to spend too much and find yourself in debt, or you are thrifty and obsessive about saving, this workshop has something to offer because we all have something to learn about radical contentment and generosity!

RETURN to the Sacred Heart.
A weekend experience of contemplative prayer and loving action
http://return.eventbrite.com/
November 13-15 Begins at 7:30 P.M. Friday and concludes at 12 P.M. Sunday
$75-$150 sliding scale (includes five meals, instruction and simple accommodations)

There are two places where our hearts may find God: in the stillness and brokenness of prayer and through friendship with “the least of these.”  The tradition of the ancient scriptures recognizes the inseparable connection between contemplation and compassionate action. Jesus embodied the reality of the “sacred heart” through his life and teachings.  This unique weekend “retreat” experiences combines periods of contemplative prayer and with meals shared with homeless friends finding belonging at Dorothy’s Place, a Franciscan Worker Community in Salinas California.  Facilitated by Mark Scandrette, founder and director of ReIMAGINE! San Francisco and Rev. Shinko Rick Slone, Zen teacher, loving disciple of Jesus and community member in The Companions of the Way.