Rothko Chapel

11/29/18

Justicia climática: Este es el momento, este es el lugar con Elizabeth Yeampierre, directora ejecutiva de UPROSE

en una conversación con Bryan Parras, co-fundador de Servicios de Fomento de Justicia del Medioambiente de Texas (T.E.J.A.S.)

Cátedra Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold sobre paz, justicia social y derechos humanos

Patrocinada en conjunto Bernard y Audre Rapoport para los Derechos Humanos y la Justicia

Antena Houston estará en el evento asegurando un espacio bilingüe para hablantes del inglés y el español con interpretación simultánea.

Acompáñenos a pasar una tarde con Elizabeth Yeampierre donde explorará cómo comunidades vulnerables experimentan y responden a los efectos desproporcionados del cambio climático. Yeamierre recurrirá al trabajo de activistas de justicia climática en lugares que van desde Brooklyn y Houston a Puerto Rico para ayudarnos a considerar cómo podemos participar localmente en la creación de una sociedad más justa y equitativa.

También forma parte de la exploración de la Capilla Rothko sobre temas de derechos humanos relacionados al cambio climático, que incluye el simposio de tres días, “Hacia un futuro mejor: transformando la crisis del cambio climático”, que se realizará del 28 de febrero al 2 de marzo de 2019 en la Capilla Rothko y la Universidad de St. Thomas. Para aprender más información, haga clic aquí.

Sobre Elizabeth Yeampierre:

Elizabeth Yeampierre es una líder de la justicia climática reconocida internacionalmente. Puertorriqueña de orígenes africanos e indígenas, nació y se crió en la ciudad de Nueva York. Elizabeth es co-presidenta de la Alianza de Justicia Climática, una organización nacional con liderazgo de primera línea, y directora ejecutiva de UPROSE, la organización comunitaria latina más antigua de Brooklyn. Yeampierre fue la primera presidenta latina del Consejo Asesor Nacional de Justicia del Medioambiente USEPA. En el 2010, Elizabeth fue la oradora principal del primer Consejo Asesor de la Casa Blanca para el Foro sobre calidad medioambiental sobre la justicia medioambiental bajo Obama y en el 2015 presentó en la Reunión sobre cambio climático del Papa Francisco en el National Mall en Washington DC.

Sobre Bryan Parras:

Bryan Parras es uno de los más dinámicos organizadores de Justicia Ambiental en la Costa del Golfo, luchando por todo el Este y el Centro de los Estados Unidos. Bryan creció en una comunidad en el Este de Houston, Texas, cerca de las más grandes concentraciones de plantas petroquímicas, refinerías, y tanques de almacenaje del mundo. Él está profundamente involucrado en la documentación de el racismo ambiental vivido por las comunidades marginadas en Houston y a lo largo de toda la región de la Costa del Golfo. El continúa a ayudar a liderar el levantamiento del movimiento de justicia ambiental y actualmente está ayudando en Houston y el resto de la Costa del Golfo a luchar por una recuperación justa despues del Huracan Harvey.

Sobre la Cátedra Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold:

Consistente con la misma historia de Sissy de exponer y responder a las injusticias tanto como servidora pública como ciudadana, este ciclo de conferencias inspira a las audiencias a responder creativamente a los desafíos más grandes en términos de derechos humanos del siglo XXI.

11/29/18

"Climate Justice: The Time is Now, The Place is Here" with Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director, UPROSE

In conversation with Bryan Parras, co-founder of Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (T.E.J.A.S.) and Dirty Fuels Gulf Organizer with Sierra Club

Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold Endowed Lecture Series in Peace, Social Justice and Human Rights

Presented in partnership with the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at UT’s School of Law

Antena Houston created a bilingual space for Spanish and English speakers through simultaneous interpretation.

Antena Houston crearon un espacio bilingüe para hablantes del inglés y el español con interpretación simultánea. Ver descripción del programa en español.

The Rothko Chapel and Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice presented the 4th Annual Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold Endowed Lecture Series in Peace, Social Justice and Human Rights, which honors Sissy for her relentless pursuit of social justice. We celebrated an evening with Elizabeth Yeampierre as she explored how vulnerable communities are both experiencing and responding to the disproportionate effects of climate change. She drew on the work of climate justice activists in places ranging from Brooklyn and Houston to Puerto Rico to help us consider how we might participate locally in the creation of a more just and equitable society. The lecture was a part of the Rothko Chapel's exploration of human rights issues surrouding climate change, culminating in a three day symposium "Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis," February 28 - March 2, 2019 at the Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas.

About the lecturer:

Elizabeth Yeampierre is an internationally recognized Puerto Rican environmental/climate justice leader of African and Indigenous ancestry, born and raised in New York City. Elizabeth is co-chair of the Climate Justice Alliance, a national frontline led organization, and Executive Director of UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community-based organization. She was the first Latina Chair of the USEPA National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. In 2010, Elizabeth was the opening speaker for the first White House Council on Environmental Quality Forum on Environmental Justice under Obama, and in 2015 she spoke at Pope Francis’s Climate Change Rally at the National Mall in Washington DC.

In conversation with:

Bryan Parras is one of the Gulf Coast's most dynamic environmental justice organizers fighting along the entire central and eastern United States. Bryan grew up in a community on the east side of Houston, Texas, near one of largest concentrations of petrochemical plants, refineries and storage tanks in the world. He is deeply involved in the documentation of environmental racism experienced by marginalized communities from Houston and throughout the greater Gulf Coast region. He continues to help lead the rising environmental justice movement and is currently helping people in Houston and the Gulf Coast fight for a just Recovery after Hurricane Harvey.

About the lecture series:

In line with Sissy’s own history of exposing and responding to injustices and inequality as both a public servant and citizen, the lecture series brings to Austin and Houston internationally renowned scholars, activists and politicians who will inspire their audiences to think and act creatively to respond to some of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.

12/1/18 World AIDS Day Observance

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Rothko Chapel hosted a morning observance to show support and solidarity with the millions of people living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS. This program was offered in partnership with The oH Project: Oral Histories of HIV/AIDS in Houston, Harris County, and Southeast Texas.

The morning program included live music, personal testimonials, and guided reflection. Gregory Hamilton, a community educator and advocate working at ASP Cares Pharmacy shared information on the state of the battle against HIV in Houston and Texas. Isis Torrente, member of the Latino HIV Task Force, Greater Houston chapter of the Positive Women's Network, and Ryan White Planning Council spoke on her experience within the HIV community in Houston. Andrew Edmonson, board member of The oH Project, shared information about the oral histories they have been collecting since 2016. Moments of reflection were led by Reverend Diane McGehee, Senior Pastor of Bering Memorial UMC, and music was performed throughout by John Edward Ross on acoustic guitar.

Established by the World Health Organization in 1988 as the first ever global health day, World AIDS Day is an occasion to reflect on the more than 35 million people who have died from HIV/AIDS since the virus was first identified in 1984, and a time to consider how to better care for the 36.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, and their families, friends and loved ones who have been deeply impacted.

The oH Project (The Oral History Project) was founded in 2015 to collect, preserve, and make available the painful, heroic, and inspiring experiences of people impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Houston, Harris County, and Southeast Texas. The organization is capturing the personal experiences of 100 long term survivors, physicians, activists, religious and political leaders and others in order to preserve the personal and institutional history of Houston’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These important materials is available to all, including those who need source material for research and educational purposes, at Rice University’s prestigious Woodson Research Center, ranked among “the 20 most impressive special collections,” according to Open Education Database.

Special thanks to our promotional partners Ryan White Planning Council, Bering Memorial UMC, The Montrose Center, and Legacy Community Health.

11/15/2018

34th Annual Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Theme: "Care for Creation"

Leading up to the 2019 Rothko Chapel Symposium on Climate Change, the 34th Annual Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will focus on the environment. Leaders and members of nine different faith communities across the city will come together to share prayers, readings, chants and reflections on the theme of “care for creation.” This year's service will include Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian traditions. A reception follows the program.

The service started 34 years ago in response to the bombing of a storefront mosque. After helping to raise money to support the mosque's repairs, the Annual Thanksgiving Service co-founders George Atkinson and Garland Pohl wanted to find a way for different faith organizations to come together, as thanksgiving is a common value shared by all the major world religions. Initially, participants represented Judaism, Islam and Christianity, but within three years, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Baha’i, Hindus and Jains joined the service. The creation of the event is a milestone in the development of interfaith dialogue in Houston.

Participants:

Nazli Masrour and Shahpour Masrour, Baha’i Faith

Venerable Rong Tong and Charlene Chuang, Texas Buddhist Association

Rev. William Lucas and Rev. Carol Bruse, West University United Methodist Church (Christian)

Acharyaa (Dr.) Kavita Vachaknavee and Dr. Harish Chandra, Arya Samaj Greater Houston (Hindu)

Samani Kanchan Pragya and Samani Pranav Pragya, JVB Preksha Meditation Center Houston (Jain)

Rabbi Ariel Sholklapper and Rabbi Sarah Fort, Congregation Beth Yeshurun (Jewish)

Mubarak Oladejo and Shazia Ashraf, Islamic Society of Greater Houston

Professor Sukhchain Singh and Amrik Singh, The Sikh National Center of Greater Houston

Ervad Yazad Sidhwa and Vehista Kaikobad, Zoroastrian Association of Houston

Houston Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Committee:

George Atkinson, United Methodist

Riaz Masrour, Baha'i

Beth Kulkarni, Hindu

Alok Jain, Jain

Vehishta Kaikobad, Zoroastrian

Charlene Chuang, Buddhist

Garland Pohl, Catholic

Imam Dr. Wazir Ali, Islamic Tradition

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

In a national climate of increasing anger and hate, how does one even begin to consider the concept of reconciliation? In response to the barrage of hate incidents occurring across the country, most recently at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Imam Dr. Wazir Ali (Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Qur’an) reflected on forgiveness and reconciliation, and the many difficult questions we ask ourselves on this universal topic. 

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 mentorship program in Islamic Studies, comparative religion and Masjid administration under the guidance of Imam Qasim Ahmed. Imam Ali is also a student of the preeminent American Muslim scholar, the late Imam Warithud-Deen Mohammed (may G-d have mercy on him).

Imam Dr. Ali, an entrepreneur, kinesiologist and registered dietitian nutritionist owns a private nutrition consulting firm in Houston. Imam Ali holds a Doctorate degree in clinical nutrition from Rutgers University, a Master of Science degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas Pan American, and Bachelor of Science degrees in nutrition and psychology from the University of Houston.

About the series:

Since September 2005, on the first Wednesday of each month at 12pm, the Rothko Chapel hosts a contemplative practice focusing on different spiritual or faith traditions featuring teachers and religious leaders from throughout the greater Houston community. This series provides opportunities for visitors to learn more about specific spiritual and faith traditions and experience a contemplative practice.

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 part of four different interfaith tours overseas (three to Israel and one to Turkey). A chaplain for St. Luke’s Hospital, he teaches Sacred Vocations to hospital employees to help connect healing and spirituality. He is also a volunteer prison chaplain.

Rabbi Gordon has an international reputation as a maggid: a sacred storyteller. The Jewish tradition values “reading between the lines,” to find a soul within the story. Rabbi Gordon’s stories and presentational talents help connect with soul.

About the series:

Since September 2005, on the first Wednesday of each month at 12pm, the Rothko Chapel hosts a contemplative practice focusing on different spiritual or faith traditions featuring teachers and religious leaders from throughout the greater Houston community. This series provides opportunities for visitors to learn more about specific spiritual and faith traditions and experience a contemplative practice.

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 Watanabe, shinobue flutes, taiko.

Set list:

Taiko and Shinobue solo by Kaoru Watanabe

Vaishanavi by Sandeep Das

Harp Solo by Maeve Gilchrist

Ostinato 4 ("Yellow Birds") by Maeve Gilchrist

In Manus Tuas by Caroline Shaw

Bloodlines by Kaoru Watanabe

Tarang by Sandeep Das, arr. Silkroad

In a Landscape by John Cage

Waves of Rush by Aidan O'Rourke, arr. Maeve Gilchrist

Together Alone by Kaoru Watanabe

The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on the 21st of September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. To learn more about International Day of Peace, visit internationaldayofpeace.org.

About Silkroad Ensemble:

Silkroad creates music that engages difference, sparking radical cultural collaboration and passion-driven learning to build a more hopeful world.

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he began to learn about the historical Silk Road, recognizing in it a model for productive cultural collaboration, for the exchange of ideas and tradition alongside commerce and innovation. And in a radical experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom, a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.

Today, these Grammy Award-winning artists seek and practice radical cultural collaboration in many forms, creating and presenting new music, teacher and musician training workshops, and residency programs in schools, museums, and communities. Silkroad has recorded seven albums. Sing Me Home, which won the 2016 Grammy for Best World Music Album was developed and recorded alongside the documentary feature The Music of Strangers, from Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville.

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 presenters:

Dr. Alejandro Chaoul, the founding director of The Jung Center's Mind Body Spirit Institute (MBSI), holds a doctoral degree in religious studies from Rice University. He is a faculty member in the Integrative Medicine Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where, since 1999, he has used mind, body, and spirit techniques to facilitate healing in cancer patients and their families and reduce stress and promote work-life balance among support staff. Dr. Chaoul is on the Board and is a meditation and Tibetan yoga teacher of the Ligmincha Texas Institute for the Tibetan Meditative and Healing Arts. He is also an advisor for the Rothko Chapel.

Dr. Leslie Gauna, is an Assistant Professor in Bilingual and Multicultural Studies at the University of Houston Clear Lake and member of Houston Playback Theatre. She has extensive experience in teaching at all grade levels in multilingual schools with bilingual, dual language, and English as a Second Language programs in Texas. She has worked with urban schools and migrant populations in projects related to multicultural and bilingual education, violence prevention, gender, and community participation both in the U.S. and in Argentina.

About the series:

Since September 2005, on the first Wednesday of each month at 12pm, the Rothko Chapel hosts a contemplative practice focusing on different spiritual or faith traditions featuring teachers and religious leaders from throughout the greater Houston community. This series provides opportunities for visitors to learn more about specific spiritual and faith traditions and experience a contemplative practice.

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 meditation--attending to the sound and feel of laughter, and experiencing the letting-go of hang-ups, inhibitions, and worries. Through laughter one experiences pure joy that is silly, open and honest, uplifting to the spirit, and healing for the body and mind. Laughter Meditation has two lovely and simple parts; First, we laugh together, then we sit together in silence and are lead into a guided meditation to deepen our inner world. This meditation doesn’t require sitting in lotus position, or breathing in special ways. All ages and experience levels welcome.

About the presenter:

Stephen Findley serves as the Primary Chaplain for the Leukemia and Pediatric Services at the U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. His major focus is providing spiritual care and support to patients, caregivers, and staff. Stephen is a Board Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains and is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher through Laughter Yoga International. More recently Stephen has been named an Ambassador of Laughter for his selfless service to spreading laughter and wellness. Stephen holds the degree of Masters of Divinity from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry from Abilene Christian University. Stephen also an Ordained Minister through the Nondenominational Agape Christian Center.

Stephen was instrumental in developing the Laughter for Health Program for outpatients and caregivers at the Integrative Medical Center at U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He shares his knowledge by speaking on topics related to Culture, Spirituality, Religion, and Wellness Issues.

About the series:

Since September 2005, on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, the Rothko Chapel hosts a meditation or contemplative practice focusing on a different spiritual or faith tradition featuring teachers and religious leaders from throughout the greater Houston community. Twelve Moments: Experiencing Spiritual and Faith Traditions series provides opportunities for visitors to learn more about a specific spiritual or faith tradition, and experience a related meditation or contemplative practice, such as prayer, chanting, and more.

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 of what is occurring on the border and in Houston area immigration detention centers and learned about actions they can take on the local, state and national level to address this issue. 

Program participants included: Kate Vickery, Executive Director of Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative; Rev. Alejandro Montes, Iglesia Episcopal San Mateo; Anne Chandler, Executive Director of Tahirih Justice Center’s Houston office; Lomi Kriel, Houston Chronicle Reporter; and Dalia Castillo-Granados, American Bar Association Children's Immigration Law Academy (ABA CILA); moderated by Zenobia T. Lai, Legal Director of the Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance of Catholic Charities.