Remembering Reverend Lincoln Selwyn Dring Jr.
Founder of Interfaith Works (Community Ministry of Montgomery County)
An Obituary for Reverend Lincoln Selwyn Dring, Jr. (Provided By Rev. Dring’s Family)
The Reverend Lincoln Selwyn Dring, Jr., “Lon,” as he was commonly known, passed on Sunday, June 15, 2025 in Pompton Plains, NJ at the age of 91. He was married to Janice (Farmer/Park) for 51 years before she passed in 2019. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Park Kupersmith and husband, Michael Kupersmith; son David Lincoln Dring and former daughter-in-law, Karen Gstalder-Dring; his grandchildren, Oscar, Josephine, and Adelais Dring; brother, Bill Dring and wife, Janet Dring; nephew Barton Dring and wife Mary (Peggy) Dring; niece, Susan Dring Wohlgenant and several grand nephews and grand nieces.
Lon was born on April 16, 1934 to Lincoln and Margaret (May) in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, IL where he was an outdoorsman and athlete. In 1956, he graduated from Dartmouth College. Rather than continue his path towards medicine, Lon pivoted to study theology at Union Theological Seminary, which fueled his passions for civil liberties, social justice and dignity for all. He was ordained in the Presbyterian church in 1960. As an associate pastor at the Church of Good Neighbor in East Harlem, Lon galvanized his commitment to civil rights. He became an active presence in civil rights marches throughout New York City and the country. He believed the principles of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. and occasionally was arrested for his civil disobedience.
This activism led to his appointment as a Chaplain at Howard University in Washington, D.C, from 1966-1972. While serving for Howard, he said, “What people need more than anything else,” he said, “is their own empowerment.”
Lon then moved his family from Washington D.C. to Rockville, MD where he took on the role of the Executive Director of Community Ministry of Montgomery County (CMMC) in 1972; now known as Interfaith Works. What began as a collection of Protestant churches, under his leadership expanded to more than 120 faith-based organizations spanning all religions of the Washington DC suburban areas. Through economies of scale, CMMC was able to feed more, shelter more and advocate more, ensuring all voices were heard. Because of this work, the Washington Post proclaimed him the “Conscience of the Community.”
For nearly 30 years. Lon led CMMC. His vision, storytelling abilities, and leadership nurtured many programs to meet the growing needs of disenfranchised people. Often biblical references were used to transform programs. For example, a food voucher program grew into a Manna Food Center serving over 50,000 pounds of food a month. This accomplishment was recognized by the Washingtonian Magazine which awarded him its “Washingtonian of the Year Award” in 1984.
He was among the early adopters of Habitat for Humanity. For years, he guided the rezoning, financing, development, and support of affordable projects throughout the Washington D.C. area. His work within mixed-use, affordable housing was recognized by the naming of a large project in Silver Spring, MD after him: Dring’s Reach.
In recognition of his work on poverty, homelessness and those differently abled, Interfaith Works (the new name of Community Ministry of Montgomery County) named a supportive housing project for senior disabled men: Lon’s House.
While the recipient of many awards and honors, he especially appreciated the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award for “living the dream” and continuing King’s legacy on behalf of the citizens of Montgomery County.
Lon enjoyed traveling and incorporated studies to extend trips. He created exchange programs with churches in the UK, developed retreats in communities such as Ghost Ranch, NM. But he found his grounding in the mountains of West Virginia in a community called Coolfont, which blends cultural and outdoors activities.
To his family, friends, and any stranger that he met, he will be remembered most for his kindness, generosity, integrity, humor, storytelling, singing and adventurous spirit.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at 10:30 am in the Rockville Presbyterian Church at 215 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bernie Scholarship Awards Program, Habitat for Humanity, Interfaith Works, or Manna Food.