Photo: Jerry Atnip
In the bowels of a bustling downtown, underneath concrete interstate bridges, a mass of forgotten humanity huddles beneath scraps of make-do shelter. In Nashville, it's called Tent City.
Enter successful, acclaimed photographer Jerry Atnip: "As photographers, we have an imperative to see the world more intensely than others, so that we can reveal things and share them with those who would not notice."
"Tent City," the exhibit, is an artistic project that has spiraled and morphed from a photographer to a Christian church -- of a typically conservative denomination -- that linked hands with a Jewish Temple. It is about people of faith acting upon that faith to help a hurting humanity.
Says Rabbi Mark Schiftan, of The Temple: "Our challenge as those who are more comfortable is to see God in all people -- in those who may be discomfitted by life."
To me this is Real Faith. Before I attended Atnip's black-and-white photography exhibit, I watched this YouTube about Otter Creek Church's effort. I am blown away by this act of Faith. Of Faith with legs. Of Faith stripped of politics, blame and labels. Of Real Faith. This. Is. What. It's. All. About. Through this one church's actions, words are not needed. This is Living It.
The night of the exhibit premiere, I was moved to tears twice during short service following the photography show. I was moved by the film shown about Tent City, revealing something very few Nashvillians, myself included. Tent City has existed for more than two decades. Like many here, I'd only become of aware of it with recent media attention. And, secondly, I was moved that a Church of Christ would partner with a Jewish Temple.
As the Rabbi said, and I believe: We. Are. All. One.
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