[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E607]]



                    TRIBUTE TO REV. DONALD W. MORGAN

                                 ______


                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding 
individual, Rev. Donald Walker Morgan of Wethersfield, CT; who is 
retiring as the senior minister of the First Church of Christ in 
Wethersfield, CT. During his 18-year tenure as the spiritual leader of 
the historic Wethersfield Church which dates back to 1635. Reverend 
Morgan has significantly contributed to the growth of the church 
membership bringing it to over 2,800 members--the largest, fastest 
growing congregational-UCC Church in New England.
  Born in Lexington, MA, Donald Morgan served in World War II as a 
member of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crew. For over 2 years, he was 
part of the 8th Air Force Division in Great Britain, and flew numerous 
missions over Germany. He then matriculated at Tufts University in 
Boston where he received a bachelor of science degree in clinical 
psychology. Reverend Morgan earned a master of divinity degree from the 
Union Theological Seminary in New York, and was ordained to the 
Christian ministry in 1953.
  Since 1953, Reverend Morgan has served in churches in Northfield, VT; 
Litchfield, CT; Rutland, VT; and Lakewood, OH. In June 1978, Reverend 
Morgan accepted the senior minister position at First Church in 
Wethersfield, CT. Reverend Morgan brought new vitality and a dynamic 
vision reaching well beyond the confines of the historic colonial 
community. He expanded the services of the church by providing new 
ministries in a myriad of social and religious areas and hired 
professional staff to handle the administrative affairs of the church.
  The Reverend Donald W. Morgan is currently chairman of Churches 
Uniting in Global Mission, a national movement of pastors and churches 
and is frequently a featured speaker at the Robert Schuller Institute 
for Successful Church Leadership. He is the author of ``How To Get It 
Together When Your World Is Coming Apart,'' published in 1988, and 
``Sermons In American History,'' an acclaimed volume which addresses 
selected issues in the American pulpit from 1630 to the present. 
Reverend Morgan's ministry and church have been cited in two recent 
publications ``How To Reach Secular People'' by George Hunter, and 
``Good News From Growing Churches'' by Robert Burt.
  He is married to the former Alice Grace Gingles of Bowling Green, KY, 
a graduate of Wellesley College and Union Theological Seminary who had 
served until recently as the director of Caring Ministries at the First 
Church in Wethersfield, CT. They have 6 children and 13 grandchildren.
  Reverend Donald Morgan is a nationally respected spiritual leader who 
with dedicated fortitude and vision transformed a colonial era church 
into one of the most dynamic, energetic religious institutions in New 
England. Having participated in a service or two at First Church, I can 
attest to the great works of Reverend Morgan and the impact he has had 
on the lives of those in his congregation and community. His calling to 
First Church was fortunate for the church community, the town of 
Wethersfield, the greater Hartford region and the State of Connecticut.
  We recognize his achievements. We have learned from his example. He 
has touched the lives of many in so many ways. We sincerely extend our 
wishes of gratitude and wish him the best upon his retirement.

                          ____________________