Podcast appearances and mentions of Leonard L Hamlin

"And for just a moment, that's the problem with many of us often in times, is that we try to tell God how to work.  And don't really know how God is already at work."

"There is a need for us to raise our voices. There is a need for us to speak in the wilderness of this day."

“There was something special about Jesus and now on this night, they are not just listening to Jesus. They are seeing the authenticity of Jesus, not through the wonders performed by Jesus, but through the humble serving of Jesus.”  The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin Sr retells the story of the last supper, where Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet and sharing together in holy communion. We are reminded that faith is not only demonstrated through words and beliefs, but also through actions. We are asked about where Jesus lives, and the answer is within each of us.  

“‘Come see a man.' There's something good about that in my soul. ‘Come see a man.' Most of us can talk about look at what I've got, look at what I've achieved, look at what is going on in the world. But I came by to tell you on today and in the midst of lent; we ought to have a witness that says, ‘Come see a man.'”     The Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin Sr. Preaches in gratitude for being known and seen by God, and by those who bear witness. Drawing inspiration from the phrase, “Come see a man,” we are urged to see things for ourselves and to know that God is at work, and to know that he knows us, as well.  

“Jesus speaks to those who are gathered and tells them that they, and us who are here today, are not defined by our circumstances. We are not limited by our demographics. We're not limited by the lines that we draw, the streets that we claim, the land that we try to possess. Let me say even more that we are not confined and defined because of race and ethnicities. We are more than that. We are children of the most high God and to put it plainly, he says “you are salt, and you are light.'”   The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin Sr. preaches about who we are and what roles we have. He reminds us that we are more than our society has taught us to be, and that God clearly identifies us as his children, and address our call as love and justice.  

"This is the moment when someone needs to hear what you've seen and what you have heard, what we have seen and what we have heard. This is our moment. This is our season to tell the good news. This is our moment to declare to the truth that states Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life." On Sunday, the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached on the season of Advent as the moment when we are called to share the good news of Jesus. Advent is our season as Christians because it reminds us of the life that we have been called to live.

" Prayer brings us into the presence of God. It helps us to deal with the pain of the past, the problems of the present, while embracing the Lord's promises for the future." The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminds us about the power of prayer.

“How many of us are more concerned about how we impress others rather than being good to others? We're invited to the table not so that we can be impressive to each other, but we've been invited because we are the ones who are needy.” The Rev. Canon Leonard L.Hamlin, Sr. reminds us that God is looking down and watching us, something for us to meet with gratitude and to serve as encouragement to be good to others and to love our neighbors.

“It was the Samaritan's actions that allowed Jesus to show us that it is not enough to define who is my neighbor, but it is essential to be neighborly. The call to action requires a compassion and a love that is not bound by social constructs, but motivated by heavenly compassion to transform and move beyond these binding constructs that we have put in place, that we have created that limit our community, that limit our relationships, that keep us separated.” The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preaches on the parable of the good Samaritan, reflecting on how we can be neighborly in our own lives today.

“There are many throughout history, even when claiming to be followers of Jesus, that have tried to separate Jesus from liberty. They've used his name to put folk down instead of lifting folk up.” Preaching on Juneteenth, the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminded us that although freedom has taken the scenic route in this nation, liberty cannot be separated from Jesus.

“We must recognize that there are issues that can only be addressed when there's a great leap of faith.” After hearing the news of Jesus's resurrection, the disciples hid behind closed and locked doors. The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. asked us on Sunday to be transformed by the resurrection – to make an effort to understand, love and show our neighbors grace.

The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached at our Good Friday service on April 15, 2022.          

"What are we becoming? We are asking this question not only of ourselves, but also of our families, our communities, our nation, and - dare I say - the world." As the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminds us, something powerful happens when we invite Jesus to occupy the center of our lives. Like Simon (later, the apostle Peter) and the fishermen at Gennesaret, we are called to follow Jesus from shallow waters into the deep and have faith that we, too, can become all that we were created to be.

“I am reminded that spiritual growth is very difficult if we live our lives in solitude. We all need each other.” The New Year is often a time for growth and setting ourselves up to succeed. As the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminded us on Sunday, this is easier to do when we ground ourselves in scripture and community.

The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached on Thanksgiving Day.

“What kind of followers are we when we can claim Jesus as our savior, but don't show up when those who are suffering are in need?” It's easy to run or look away when we see others who are sick or face economic difficulties. As Canon Leonard Hamlin preached, our faith should help us to see what we don't want to see.

“Life is worth living just because He lives.” What does it mean to have a life that is alive? Canon Leonard Hamlin examined this question during his sermon yesterday.

“We must remember, it does not begin with others, it begins with me.” Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached a powerful sermon on Sunday, encouraging us to build a strong community by reflecting the values we seek in a community.

"Can you hear me now?" As we reemerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminded us yesterday that we cannot return to a new normal. We need to hear God's call and put in the work to help create a world full of love.

“There's power in prayer.” A simple message, but one that we often need to be reminded of. The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached yesterday, emphasizing the importance of putting prayer into action.

"What happened to Peter is a mistake that happens to us. This was a divine moment where Jesus was speaking, but instead of listening, he wanted to busy himself. Sometimes we're in such a hurry to do that we forget that it's important to just be." The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached on February 14, 2021, encouraging us to take time to be in the present,

“Have I really thought about who is first in my priority, who is at the center of my life and who is at the center of all of my joy?”   Sundays provide a chance to prepare ourselves for the week ahead. As Canon Missioner Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. said in his sermon yesterday, Sundays are also a time to ask ourselves what we can give to God.

On October 2nd, the International Day of Non-Violence, we would like to thank Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin, Hardy Merriman, Rivera Sun, and Mary Elizabeth King for the excellent discussion on the current state and relevance of nonviolent action in the contemporary globe. Grievance and deprivation, perceived or real, tempt groups into violent behavior. Rapid change, social upheaval, and uncertainty make violent expressions of social discontent even more likely. It is in those moments that we are called to demonstrate a heightened sense of restraint and sound judgment. It is in those moments that nonviolence presents as a timely and timeless concept for contemporary societies. And yet, while few would disagree about the virtue of nonviolence, a similarly firm belief and understanding about its power, strategy, and discipline is much harder to locate. The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and Rumi Forum, proudly inspired by two masters of nonviolent action, are co-hosting this event on Gandhi’s birthday, the International Day of Nonviolence. The program features a panel from scholarly as well as practitioner backgrounds. Our speakers will guide an exploration of the current state of nonviolent action around the globe, its growing relevance amid social unrest, and efforts to make it an inherent element of individual and collective behavior. Moderator: The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.  Canon Missioner, Washington National Cathedral The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. began his tenure at the Washington National Cathedral in April 2018. In his role as Canon Missioner, Dr. Hamlin oversees the Cathedral’s outreach and social justice initiatives, including gun violence prevention and racial justice and reconciliation. In particular, Dr. Hamlin assists in the building of partnerships and the equipping of the Cathedral community and the congregation to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Prior to his arrival at the Cathedral, Dr. Hamlin served as the Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, Va. for 22 years. Under his leadership, the congregation was strengthened numerically and spiritually while numerous ministries, discipleship classes and mission efforts were organized to meet the needs of the congregation and the community locally, regionally and nationally. Dr. Hamlin received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (1983) from the Howard University School of Business, Master of Divinity Degree (1994), and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Howard University School of Divinity (1996). He has served and been appointed to numerous community, faith based and governmental boards, commissions, agencies. Dr. Hamlin is married to Machell Nicholson Hamlin, Esquire, assistant vice president of staff counsel for the GEICO Corporation, and they are the proud parents of one son, Leonard L. Hamlin, Jr. Speakers Hardy Merriman  President and CEO, International Center on Nonviolent Conflict He has worked in the field of civil resistance for over 18 years, presenting at workshops for activists and organizers around the world; speaking widely about civil resistance movements with scholars, journalists, and members of international organizations; and developing resources for practitioners and scholars.  His writings have been translated into numerous languages. From 2016-2018 he was also an adjunct lecturer at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University). Title of presentation: “Civil Resistance: Powerful, Underrecognized, and Crucial in this Moment”   Dr. Mary Elizabeth King  Director, James Lawson Institute Mary Elizabeth King is a political scientist and author of acclaimed books on civil resistance, most recently “Gandhian Nonviolent Struggle and Untouchability in South India: The 1924–25 Vykom Satyagraha and the Mechanisms of Change.” She is professor of peace and conflict studies at the UN-affiliated University for Peace; Distinguished Rothermere American Institute Fellow at the University of Oxford, Britain; and director of the James Lawson Institute. Her academic specialty in the study of nonviolent action dates to four years working in Atlanta and Mississippi for the 1960s U.S. civil rights movement on staff of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC. There she learned the basics of nonviolent struggle from the Reverend James M. Lawson in this profound experience that would define her life. Her website is maryking.info. Title of presentation: “Rediscovering How Gandhi Put Nonviolent Methods on the World Political Map” Rivera Sun  Editor, Nonviolence News Author/Activist Rivera Sun is the editor of Nonviolence News and a nationwide trainer in strategy for nonviolent change. She has written numerous books and novels, including The Dandelion Insurrection and The Way Between.  She serves on the Advisory Boards of World Beyond War and Backbone Campaign.  Her writings on nonviolence as syndicated by Peace Voice and have appeared in over 100 journals. www.riverasun.com. Title of presentation: “Challenges – And Possibilities – Of Teaching Nonviolence As A Way Of Making Change”  

The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., Cathedral Canon Missioner, reminded us that "faith is more of a verb than it is a noun" in yesterday's sermon. Hear his message about faith and action. Sermon date: August 16, 2020

On March 31st, Rumi Forum organized the Food and Faith Event at Sakina Halal Grill. Food and Faith both bring people together. Faith traditions have a specific relationship with food. Whether it be the role food plays in daily life or providing food to the needy, faith traditions recognize this necessity as something more. Panelists: Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. began his tenure at the Washington National Cathedral in April 2018. In his role as Canon Missioner, Dr. Hamlin oversees the Cathedral’s outreach and social justice initiatives. Prior to his arrival at the Cathedral, Dr. Hamlin served as the Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Arlington, VA for 22 years. Dr. Hamlin received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (1983) from the Howard University School of Business, Master of Divinity Degree (1994), and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Howard University School of Divinity (1996). He has served and been appointed to numerous community, faith-based and governmental boards, commissions, agencies. Dr. Zulfiqar A. Kazmi is the founder and Executive Director of The Commongrounds USA. This organizational network is dedicated to the promotion of peace through educational programs, workshops, conferences, and research. Dr. Kazmi participated and lectured in more than 200 World Peace Conferences including UN cosponsored seminars, symposiums and convocations. He launched Scandinavian Peace initiatives and convened a series of seminars at The Washington Times. Dr. Kazmi made history offering special prayers and Salaat ul Maghrib during the last Christmas Dinner hosted by President Obama and First Lady at The White House. He is the recipient of the Fairfax County Proclamation 1998. In 2007 he achieved a nomination for America's highest Civil Award “Benjamin Franklin Award”. Jodi Balis RD has worked for 15 years in community and public health in the non-profit sector as a culinary educator, dietitian and Nutrition Director, where she implemented cooking and wellness programs for underserved communities in the DC region, and worked to ensure access to healthy food. Jodi recently pivoted in her career, and is now a personal chef, culinary educator, body worker and ritual facilitator. Jodi co-creates Food Rituals with groups and individuals, which is a visual meditation and embodiment practice that marks milestone moments in life through the collaborative and artful arrangement of vibrant colorful food, herbs, spices and stones. Jodi is also creator and host of the podcast Purple Honey, a gathering of female voices, where Jewish wisdom and feminine spirituality are explored through the lense of health and wellness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvjh4-aFo68&feature=youtu.be

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to all of our listeners! We close out 2016 with a special holiday podcast, featuring Rev. Sarah Harrison-McQueen of Central United Methodist Church in Ballston, Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church in Nauck, Rabbi Lia Bass of Congregation Etz Hayim along Route 50, and an exclusive interview with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. This is a family-friendly episode that you can feel free to let your kids listen to.