February 24, 2017
Reflecting on solidarity and compassion at the Rothko Chapel
Celebrate International Women’s Day with Twilight Meditation,
Wednesday, March 8
HOUSTON – Feb. 24, 2017 – Honor International Women’s Day with the Twilight Meditation at the Rothko Chapel. The nonprofit has planned a meditation focused on the plight of displaced women around the world.
Join the Chapel for a time of meditation, reflection and conversation from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday March 8, featuring meditation guided by Rev. Hannah Atkins, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Women who are refugees and immigrants will share their personal stories and testimonies. The evening will close with a community conversation about the importance of individual and collective efforts to advocate for and support just and equitable policies in support of refugees and immigrants.
Guests are invited to arrive at 5:30 p.m. in preparation for the evening meditation. There will also be a reception on the Chapel plaza after the program for continued dialogue.
“At a time when there are record number of refugees worldwide and there continues to be efforts by the President and other political leaders in the U.S. to ban refugees and immigrants from entering the country, the Rothko Chapel is holding a meditation on International Women’s Day to focus on the plight of displaced women around the world,” Rothko Chapel’s executive director David Leslie said.
He added that the event is designed to highlight the importance of ongoing collective advocacy to fight the immigration ban and all other efforts to roll back the refugee resettlement program and immigration services.
“Our hope is that this program will support and complement the work done in support of refugees and immigrants throughout greater Houston and beyond,” Leslie said.
Third-generation Episcopal priest Rev. Hannah E. Atkins became Trinity’s 15th rector in 2007. She completed a Masters of Divinity at General Theological Seminary in New York in 1996, and also studied theology at Universidad Centroamericana José Siméon Cañas in El Salvador. She previously served as senior assistant rector at St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C. and as director of theological and Christian education in the Diocese of the Episcopal/Anglican Church of El Salvador. She is also married to an immigrant from the country.
In addition, Atkins has served as associate priest at St. John the Evangelist San Salvador, priest-in-charge at Holy Trinity Church Santa Teresa in San Martin and as interim priest-in-charge at St. Andrew’s Church in Amatepec, Soyapango.
For more information about the Rothko Chapel and a full calendar of upcoming programs, workshops and events, visit rothkochapel.org or call 713-524-9839.
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About the Rothko Chapel
The Rothko Chapel is open to the public every day of the year at no charge and successfully interconnects art, spirituality and compassionate action through a broad array of free public programs. Founded by Houston philanthropists Dominique and John de Menil, the Chapel was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary. Today it stands as a monument to art, spirituality and human rights. As an independent non-profit, non-governmental organization, the Chapel depends on contributions from foundations and individuals to support its mission of creating a space for contemplation and dialogue on important issues.