[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 78 (Thursday, June 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO REV. DR. HAROLD G.S. KING SENIOR MINISTER OF WAYZATA 
  COMMUNITY CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS--A GREAT MINNESOTAN AND DISTINGUISHED 
                                MINISTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2001

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great Minnesotan 
who has devoted his life to ministering to others and has made a huge 
difference in the lives of the people of our Wayzata, Minnesota 
community.
  The Rev. Dr. Harold G. S. King, Senior Minister Emeritus of Wayzata 
Community Church, is one of our nation's best and brightest theologians 
and religious leaders. Dr. King is truly deserving of special 
recognition. On Sunday, the members of Wayzata Community Church and Dr. 
King's many friends and supporters will celebrate the life 
accomplishments of this great servant leader with a special ceremony 
reflecting his distinguished career.
  Mr. Speaker, when Dr. King retired, he described his role in the life 
of the church as that of a ``general practitioner.'' Of course, Dr. 
King was much more than that, but his great humility and commitment to 
service are captured perfectly in that simple title. Dr. King's 
greatness was reflected in all three major areas of a minister's work: 
pastoral, teaching and leadership.
  A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Dr. King served as Senior 
Minister of Wayzata Community Church from 1957 to 1977. He served only 
two churches during his four decades in the ministry which, in itself, 
is a true distinction among clergy.
  A real visionary, Dr. King's long-range planning for Wayzata 
Community Church made it fertile ground for the tremendous explosion in 
membership, teaching and outreach programs that marked his two decades 
with the church. Mission Festival, Koinonia groups and the Advent 
Workshop were all initiated by Dr. King.
  Under Dr. King's leadership, membership and church staff doubled. 
Educational offerings for all ages boomed. Ecumenicism blossomed with 
other area churches, and pioneering efforts were launched to help 
people in need.
  The church spire that is a landmark in the Wayzata community was just 
the tip of Dr. King's inspiring building efforts, which included 
expanded church school space, the Wakefield Chapel, the Witcher 
Colonnade, and the Shirley King Parlor which is appropriately named 
after his late wife.
  Dr. King's building efforts with bricks and mortar were only exceeded 
by his building efforts with the human spirit. Dr. King has comforted 
all of us fortunate enough to have been members of his flock. His 
compassion and wise counsel have steered many of us safely along the 
rocky shores of tragedy and loss. It's difficult to find the words to 
adequately describe my appreciation for all Dr. King has done for all 
the members of our congregation and community.
  Dr. King was known to us in the congregation as the ``Great 
Encourager.'' He is deeply sensitive to other people and their hearts 
and minds, and he has a special ability to relate to other on an 
intimate basis. We also know Dr. King as the ``Hugging Minister.'' He 
distributes his hugs without hesitation and they do a world of good!
  In addition, we celebrate and appreciate the ministry of Dr. King 
because he made his sermons relevant and memorable. He talked about 
what was going on in real people's lives. Judiciously employing humor 
and scripture, Dr. King's messages eloquently and profoundly delivered 
the word of God.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. King continues to be a guiding light in so many 
ways, just as his family has been a beacon in our church for three 
generations. Dr. King's father was a minister and college president, 
and his son is also a minister in the United Church of Christ. In 
addition, Dr. King's wonderful wife and partner, Estelle, has been an 
active member and lay leader in our church for many years.
  Jake Beard, a good friend and a noted historian in our community, 
once asked Dr. King what he would say if he had to write a note for 
future generations. Dr. King responded: ``God works for good with those 
who love him.''
  Mr. Speaker, our church family and our community love Dr. Harold King 
and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts for working with all of 
us for good through God.
  Thank you, Dr. King, and may God bless you and Estelle and your 
family, just as your life continues to be a blessing for all of us.

                          ____________________