The Rev. Dr. Leonard Hamlin Sr. Appointed Canon Missioner of Washington National Cathedral
WASHINGTON, DC (March 1, 2018) The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, today announced the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., as Canon Missioner, a position charged with the development of mission, discipleship and education in creating a sustainable program of social justice outreach at the Cathedral.
Since 1996, Dr. Hamlin has served as senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, Va., and has held several leadership posts in Arlington County, including as chaplain to the Arlington County Fire Department and Chair of the Arlington County Diversity Dialogue Task Force.
“The Cathedral is blessed to have Dr. Hamlin join us. He is a man of integrity and deep faith who is widely respected by many within the metro region. Dr. Hamlin is passionate about the welfare of his community and God’s demand for social justice. We are excited about the skills and experiences in community engagement that he brings,” Dean Hollerith said. “In his long and distinguished career, Dr. Hamlin has demonstrated leadership and a pastoral touch in reaching underserved communities.”
In the role of Canon Missioner, Dr. Hamlin will oversee the Cathedral’s outreach and social justice initiatives, including gun violence prevention and racial justice and reconciliation. In particular, Dr. Hamlin will help build partnerships and equip members of the Cathedral community and the congregation to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world.
The appointment of a Canon Missioner was a top priority for Dean Hollerith, now in his second year leading the Cathedral.
“As the liaison between the Cathedral and the community, I look forward to connecting people and organizations to God and with one another, supporting and uplifting the disenfranchised through unconditional love, acceptance and respect,” Dr. Hamlin said.
“The Cathedral has a powerful witness and commitment to educating, equipping, and empowering servants to help solve social inequities. I’m excited to help lead efforts to equip believers for service to God and the world.”
Dr. Hamlin is an ordained minister within the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. He received his Doctor of Ministry, Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Howard University. In addition, he received a certificate in neighborhood rebuilding and revitalization from Harvard University School of Divinity in 2005.
In his work across Arlington County, Dr. Hamlin has held leadership positions with the Arlington Free Clinic, the Arlington Community Foundation, the Bonder & Amanda Johnson Community Development Corporation, WETA and Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Development.
Dr. Hamlin is married to Machell A. Hamlin, assistant vice president of staff counsel for the GEICO Corporation, and they have one son. Dr. Hamlin is expected to begin his role as canon missioner in April.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nora Langan, West End Strategy Team • (202) 765-8584 • nlangan@westendstrategy.com
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About Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral is dedicated to serve as a house of prayer for all people and a spiritual home for the nation. It seeks to be a catalyst for spiritual harmony in our nation, reconciliation among faiths, and compassion in the world.