Even before he was ordained to the priesthood in 2010, the Rev. Dr. Raymond Massenburg was working towards his goal of positively influencing low-income, Black communities and unifying them through community initiatives, projects, and events.
Rev. Dr. Raymond Massenburg serves the less fortunate in D.C.’s Black community through various events sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal. (Courtesy photo)
With a master’s degree in Business Administration in Business Management and Accounting from Purdue University in Indiana, a master’s of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Chicago, and a doctorate in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois in Chicago, Massenburg was able to combine all of his skills to help make a difference – and still is doing so through St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Northwest D.C.
The church holds events to feed the homeless. Coming up on Oct. 26, members of St. Luke’s will make and distribute lunch to residents of Christ House, an organization that provides healthcare for homeless men and women in the area. Members host a “Feed the homeless in the Park” event every third Saturday of the month, a community event to furnish apartments for the needy, projects to raise funds for the poor and provide food, and health initiatives. The church held a three-day festival on Oct. 4 to honor their founder, Father Alexander Crummel. In 1883, Crummel opened St. Luke’s in response to the segregation in the city. More than 100 years later, the people of the community have come and gone, but the Church remains.
During the Church’s three-day festival, hundreds of people stopped by to enjoy the food, vendors, and performances for all ages. “This weekend we have come here to solidify the community. We will eat, dance, and be blessed,” Massenburg said.
Massenburg said he realizes the Black community in D.C. is constantly changing, alluding to gentrification. But, through the church’s events, Massenburg said he is able to reach out and meet the needs of Blacks seeking God and unity in the D.C. area.