Contemplation & Sound: Christian Tradition

Vimeo Livestream
Twelve Moments: Experiencing Spiritual & Faith Traditions
Christian Tradition led by Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
Free event with suggested contributions $5-10​​​​

Over the next year, each Twelve Moments will highlight the role of music and sound in spiritual practices, and how these practices sustain us in the face of current challenges and injustices. For the month of December, the Rothko Chapel presented a meditation in the Christian tradition, led by representatives from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Music Ministry. Organized by Music Minister Leon Lewis (keyboard) and featuring Sabrina Gatson (vocals) and Jamie Perry (violin), this contemplative performance explored the history and significance of gospel music in the Baptist tradition.

About the Twelve Moments series
Since 2005, the Rothko Chapel has shared a monthly contemplative practice featuring different spiritual and faith traditions. Taking place on the first Wednesday of each month from 12-1pm, this series engages teachers and religious leaders from the greater Houston community, providing opportunities to learn more about specific traditions and participate in a contemplative practice.

About the presenters
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is a worshiping, witnessing and welcoming congregation committed to a spirit of excellence in the praise of the Almighty God through Jesus Christ; the Christian Education of children, youth and adults for the maturation in the faith; and worldwide ministry for the promotion of peace and justice in every aspect of life. In March of 1962, 13 pioneering worshipers assembled in the lounge of Texas Southern University’s Baptist Student Union for the sole purpose of establishing an ecclesiastical form of expression through which the worship of God and service to mankind could co-exist. Led by Founding Pastor Rev. William A. Lawson until 2004 and by Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby today, the congregation has grown to over 12,000 members and a multitude of ministries. To learn more visit wheelerbc.org.

Songwriter, producer, and pianist Leon C. Lewis has served as Wheeler Avenue’s Minister of Music since April 2014. Leon produced Wheeler’s 50^th Anniversary LP, Oh to Be Kept, released in 2012. Leon has written, produced and accompanied many notable artist and personalities in the gospel music industry. As Minister of Music, he gives leadership to six (6) adult choirs, a youth choir, a children’s choir, hand bells, praise team, adult and children’s praise dancers, mime ministry, band, theater arts, sign language team and the audio/video ministry.

Vocalist Sabrina Gatson is a graduate of HSPVA now Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and studied Classical Music Performance at Texas Southern University and Lamar University.

Jamie Perry began studying violin at age 5 in Houston, Texas. Her love for music expanded through the years and as her career began to flourish, she began to explore many genres including Classical, Gospel, Jazz, and R&B. She attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, England where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a principal study in Violin Performance. She is currently the Violinist at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and the Assistant Orchestra Director at Booker T. Washington HS here in Houston. She has also begun her solo music career and composed her new EP “Driving Music”, which is available on all streaming platforms. She gives all praises to God for the opportunity to serve others through her ministry.