Adapted from a release by Kevin Eckstrom of Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral has hired two priests to expand its worship repertoire: the Rev. Andrew Barnett, founder of Theodicy Jazz Collective, will be its associate for music and worship, and the Rev. Rosemarie Logan Duncan of St. Columba’s Church will become the cathedral’s canon for worship
“The cathedral has a unique vocation to be a house of prayer for all people,” said the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington and interim dean of the cathedral. “Together with Canon Mike McCarthy, Rose and Andy will help express that call with an expanded worship repertoire and music that expresses the breadth of Anglican and other Christian traditions including jazz, gospel music, and global song.”
Barnett, who has led worship and music at cathedrals across the Episcopal Church and in England, currently holds the Bishop’s Chair for Environmental Studies at Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles and serves at All Saints Church, Beverly Hills. He holds a bachelor degree from Oberlin College, master’s degrees from Yale Environmental School and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and a certificate in liturgical studies from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.
“I’m drawn to this notion of a ‘house of prayer for all people’ because we so need shared sacred space where we might gather with the saints at all times and from all places. Now, more than ever, we need ways to come together. That’s why Washington National Cathedral plays a unique role in the life of our country, and I’m honored to join the talented team that serves God and the mission of Jesus through worship at the cathedral. Barnett will begin his work at the cathedral in mid-August.
Duncan, who will take up her new post in mid-May, is a native of Washington, D.C., who has served as associate rector at St. Columba’s for 11 years. She holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Howard University and a master of divinity and doctor of ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Before she was ordained to the priesthood in 2006, Duncan was a church musician, clinical psychologist for the district’s General Hospital and its Department of Mental Health Services, and a researcher for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
She founded the Voices of Praise Choir at St. George’s Church in Washington and the Contemporary Sacred Singers at Virginia Theological Seminary. She is a member of the D.C. Federation of Musicians.
“I hope to work collaboratively with the cathedral staff to enhance its rich liturgical tradition and explore ways to expand the worship experience to reflect the ever-increasing diversity of our people,” she said.