Rothko Chapel

Rabbi Dan Gordon, Jewish Tradition Wednesday, October 3, 2018 For the month of October, the Rothko Chapel presented contemplative storytelling on the topic of "Difference" in the Jewish tradition, led by Rabbi Dan Gordon of Temple Beth Torah. About the presenter: Rabbi Dan Gordon has been spiritual leader of Temple Beth Torah since 1998. He is involved in many interfaith activities, and has been p...

9/21/2018 International Day of Peace with members of Silkroad Ensemble In observation of International Day of Peace, the Rothko Chapel presented a performance by members of the Silkroad Ensemble, while in residency at Rice University, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Council. Performing artists included: Shawn Conley, bass; Nicholas Cords, viola; Sandeep Das, tabla; Maeve Gilchrist, harp; Kaoru...

The Rothko Chapel presented a contemplative practice and invitation to share stories one year after Hurricane Harvey. Dr. Alejandro Chaoul of Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center led participants in a meditation, and Leslie Gauna of Houston Playback Theatre led participants in reflective story telling. Participants shared their stories with others who were impacted by the storm. About the...

Stephen Findley, Laughter Meditation The Rothko Chapel presented a laughter meditation tailored toward families and children. Led by MD Anderson Chaplain and Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher Stephen Findley, this session explored the history and role of laughter and silence in this experiential family-friendly meditation. Together with Findley individuals of all ages used laughter in a joyful medit...

7/17/18 The Rothko Chapel and Houston Immigration Legal Services partnered to hold a thoughtful, non-partisan community gathering to educate the Houston community on why families are fleeing central America, the resulting separation of families when they arrive to the U.S border, and the issues around family detention and the criminalization of refugees. Program attendees heard first-hand accounts...

The Rothko Chapel presented Mindful Moments for Parents and Families as a part of our summer series of family-friendly program offerings. Led by Simone Woodage from Dawn Mountain, this session offered busy parents some simple, sharable practices to promote mindfulness and full attention in the present moment. From mindful listening to mindful eating, to the gift of a simple, grateful pause, these...

Satmitar Khalsa, Sikh Tradition Wednesday, June 6, 2018 Pay What You Can, suggested value $10 For the month of June, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Sikh tradition led by Satmitar Khalsa. We explored Guru Nanak's Mul Mantra, the origin, the root, of all Sikh teachings. When chanted, or preferably sung repeatedly, this mystical mantra provides a practical approach to achieving a sta...

6/5/2018 Twilight Moments: World Environment Day Observation with Martha Serpas Pay What You Can, suggested contribution $15 In commemoration of World Environment Day, the Rothko Chapel will hold a Twilight Meditation led by poet Martha Serpas. Join as we unite in support of environmental justice around the world. The paradoxes of water—conceived by death and love—may never have been as obvious as...

The Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Islamic tradition led by Imam Dr. Wazir Ali of Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Qur’an. About the presenter: Imam Dr. Wazir Ali is the Imam of the historic Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Qur’an in Houston, Texas. Imam Dr. Ali completed an eight year mentor-ship program in Islamic Studies, comparative religion and Masjid admini...

Gaelyn Godwin Roshi, Zen Buddhist Tradition Wednesday, April 4, 2018 For the month of April, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Zen Buddhist tradition on the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. Led by Gaelyn Godwin Roshi of Houston Zen Center, this session explored the practice of allowing ourselves to be fully present with the moment and will lift up M...

Double Vision: The Unerring Eye of Art World Avatars Dominique and John de Menil Lecture & Book Signing with William Middleton A book signing and reception at the Menil Collection's Byzantine Fresco Chapel followed the program. This program was supported by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the US. Co-presented by the Rothko Chapel and the Menil Collection, this special reading celebr...

Art & Activism: An Evening with Peter Sellars The arts play an important connecting role in society in ways that other sectors cannot. Artists can move through a variety of environments using music, performance, visual arts and other media to address difficult topics, challenge cultural stigmas, bring diverse people together, and provoke new ways of thinking that can lead to powerful social and po...

International Women's Day Observation The Monument Quilt display on Chapel grounds, 10am-8pm Twilight Meditation inside Chapel, 6-7pm The theme for International Women’s Day in 2018 was “Press for Progress” – the worldwide campaign calls for changing stereotypes, promoting positive visibility of women and celebrating the achievements of women. Responding to this theme and the #MeToo movement, the...

Fali Engineer, Zoroastrian Tradition Wednesday March 7, 2018 Pay What You Can, suggested value $10 For the month of March, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Zoroastrian tradition. Led by Fali Engineer of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston, this session explored the contemplative practice of Ahura meditation. At present the demands of life are greater than our ability to cope. Thi...

Concept of the Divine Series A Hunger for Wholeness Ilia Delio in conversation with Bill Kerley Ilia Delio, a Franciscan Sister of Washington, DC, who bridges the spheres of science and religion shared her personal concept of the Divine and how that has changed over time, as she moved from a scientist in academia to a nun within the Catholic Church. She discussed how her spiritual belief system ha...

Brandi Beckett and Simon Cox, Daoist Tradition Wednesday, February 7, 2018 For the month of February, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Daoist tradition. Led by Brandi Beckett and Simon Cox of Wudang Houston, this session explored Daoist Inner Alchemy from the San Feng lineage. The Daoist Inner Alchemy is a form of Daoist meditation centered around becoming familiar with the energies...

Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration "Monumental Decisions: Art, Politics, and Social Responsibility" Conversation with artist Ed Dwight, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and Texas Southern University Art Historian and Curator Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, moderated by ABC13’s news anchor Melanie Lawson In honor of the life and work of the Rev. Dr. King, the Chapel held a lect...

Suzanne Benally, the first Indigenous Executive Director of Cultural Survival, shared her personal spiritual journey as a Navajo and Santa Clara from New Mexico and how this shapes her understanding of the concept of the divine. Benally explored the meaning of the Navajo concept “Hozho,” which is centered on living responsibly in a web of relationships emphasizing reciprocity with and reverence fo...

Hector Monterosso and Sandra Montes, Christian Tradition Wednesday, December 6, 2017 For the month of December, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Christian tradition with the theme "Search for a Place of Rest." Partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Bishop Monterroso provided a reflection in English on Posadas, a Latino tradition during Advent which involves re-enacting Mary...

World AIDS Day Observance 8-8:30am Pastries and Coffee outside on the Chapel Plaza 8:30-9:30am Meditation, music and conversation inside the Chapel In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Rothko Chapel held a morning conversation and meditation offered in partnership with Montrose Center and Legacy Community Health. Attendees gathered to show support and solidarity with the millions of people livi...

33rd Annual Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service "Helping Each Other" Leaders and members of nine different faiths across the city offered prayers of thanksgiving and read sacred texts on thankfulness. A reception followed the program. The service started 33 years ago in response to the bombing of a storefront mosque. After helping to raise money to support the mosque's repairs, the Annual Than...

2017 Rothko Chapel Óscar Romero Award Pre-Program Double Jeopardy: Women and the Criminal Justice System Conversation with Julie Bindel and Dr. Andrea Link, moderated by Lise Olsen Women of sex trafficking face the dual realities of being victims while also being prosecuted as offenders. Julie Bindel was joined in conversation with Houston advocate Dr. Andrea Link and Lise Olsen, investigative rep...

2017 Rothko Chapel Óscar Romero Award Pre-Program Silencing Opposition: Human Rights Violations in Burundi Former US Ambassador to Burundi, Robert Krueger in conversation with Tony Tate, Program Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Fund for Global Human Rights and Dr. Methode Butoyi, Alliance for Multicultural Community Services, moderated by Dr. Kerry Ward, professor of history at Rice Universit...

2017 Rothko Chapel Óscar Romero Award Ceremony Keynote address by Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis French Translation Services sponsored by Master Word Services, Inc. Rothko Chapel's biennial Óscar Romero Award--named after Archbishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador who was assassinated on March 24, 1980, because of his vocal opposition to the violent oppression of his fellow citi...

Dr. Harish Chandra, Hindu Tradition Wednesday, November 1, 2017 For the month of November, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Hindu tradition. Led by Dr. Harish Chandra of Arya Samaj Greater Houston, this session explored the philosophy and methods written by Patanjali in Yoga-Sutras, defining Yoga as cessation of mental transience that leads to self-realization. Dr. Chandra described...