Wiser’s Wramblings-Local Pastor Finds a New Pasture and Veterans Have a Program

Farwell to Grace United Church’s Rev. Dr. Karen Heil Borchert

By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels

My February 26^th Wrambling mentioned the next event sponsored by the Allegany County Veterans Association, which will be held at The Maple Tree Inn in Canaseraga, on March 4^th.

Veterans seeking to learn more about the program offerings can find additional information from Facebook page Salute to Allegany County Veterans, or, at the link to their local Joseph P. Dwyer Program for Veterans, on the County’s website, https://www.alleganyco.gov/salute/ .

All programs are provided without cost to Veterans and/or family members. Pre-registration is typically required and always requested. I’m sharing again to promote the March 4th Program

Mallory Short, Deputy County Administrator for Allegany County has provided some of the Dwyer Program information as follows. I have made a couple of adjustments and copy/pasting of the information, so any errors herein can be attributed to me.  

This program has offered Allegany County employees the opportunity to collaborate with volunteers, outside organizations, and businesses to provide for our Veterans. The intent of the program is to assist all veterans, to provide peer-based support and encourage connection. The immediate response from those involved so far has been, ‘Yes’. Yes, to participate, yes to volunteer, yes to collaborate and yes to welcome program participants.  The program is being organized by a small team of volunteers, administered by H. Robert Budinger III, Personnel Officer for Allegany County and Mallory Short, Deputy County Administrator for Allegany County. Future programming depends heavily on feedback from participants and veterans of Allegany County.

PFC Joseph Dwyer, United States Army 1977-2008 

The image of PFC Dwyer used in this inset illustration became iconic and graced the pages of newspapers across the country. This image illustrates a perfect symbol of the American soldier’s dedication to duty. 

PFC Joseph Dwyer enlisted in the Army within days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. An Army medic, PFC Dwyer and his unit were deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During their combat mission to Baghdad, a photographer for the Military Times newspaper captured an image of PFC Dwyer cradling a wounded Iraqi boy. The photo expressed everything about why PFC Dwyer wanted to serve his country.

PFC Dwyer returned home, after serving honorably, but he was never the same. Due to complications from PTSD, consumed by his own demons and battling with substance abuse and depression, PFC Dwyer passed away on June 28, 2008, at the age of 31. He is survived by his wife Matina Dwyer, and daughter, Meagan. 

Establishment of the PFC Joseph Dwyer Peer-To-Peer Support Program 

During negotiations on the 2012-2013 New York State Budget, Senator Zeldin, the first Iraq War veteran to serve in the New York State Legislature, and Senator Roy McDonald, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Mental Health at that time, secured funding to create the PFC Joseph Dwyer Peer Support Program in four pilot counties: Suffolk, Jefferson, Rensselaer, and Saratoga. The Program was designed for veterans experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a result of their military service. 

To provide maximum flexibility, each county would design and implement their Veteran Peer-to-Peer Program independent of each other with the same like-minded goal: to assist all veterans living with PTSD and TBI. It is believed that this is the only such state-government created program in the nation. 

Following is a goodbye wish of sorts.

On January 10, 2021, members of Grace United Church unanimously voted to call Rev. Dr. Karen Heil Borchert as our new pastor. She began her full- time ministry on April 1 of 2021.  Dr. Borchert was most recently co-pastor of a Presbyterian congregation in Tennessee along with her husband, Dr. Mark Borchert.

Pastor Karen’s educational journey began at Houghton College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and minors in political science and art. She earned a Master of Arts in clinical sociology from University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Divinity in Christian Education and Doctor of Ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. As a seminarian she was especially drawn to courses in spiritual formation.

Originally ordained with the American Baptist Church, Pastor Karen completed the work allowing her to transfer her credentials to obtain full standing with the United Church of Christ (UCC) in March of 2023.  Her standing is also fully recognized by the Disciples of Christ.

 Following is a biographical sketch of Pastor Karen’s life and career.

“Even as a young child I had spiritual proclivities. I took my faith very seriously.  I won awards for things like “Most Bible verses memorized” (3rd grade) and “Most friends brought to Vacation Bible School” (5th grade). I was the captain of my Bible quiz team (7th grade).  I attended Houghton College (now University). My mother had graduated from Houghton several decades earlier.  I liked how they integrated faith and learning. It wasn’t until after graduation that my home pastor in Massillon Ohio encouraged me to consider attending seminary.  I hadn’t known any women in ministry up to that point. I wrestled with the decision to enroll. I chose to go because I felt that if God had given me gifts to serve in ministry, then I was accountable, it was my responsibility to utilize those aptitudes to the best of my ability. 

I loved seminary, graduating with a M.Div. with a focus in education, and then going on to earn a Doctorate in Ministry in the area of Spiritual Formation.  I count it a great privilege to have had the opportunity to serve for over 33 years in ministry.  I’ve been an Associate Pastor, a Hospice Chaplain, a Youth Minister, and am completing four years as Pastor of Grace United Church here in Wellsville, Ministry is challenging work, but immensely fulfilling work.  It has been incredibly meaningful to walk alongside people through the joys and challenges of their lives, to offer words of celebration and comfort. My highest goal is to strive to offer people a sense of God’s love and grace, and to share with them how that can bring a sense of peace and purpose to our lives.  That’s what I love about ministry!  For whoever reads this, if you don’t go to church, give it another try.  You may just be surprised by what God can do in your life!”

It is with heartfelt emotion of sadness and gladness, as the congregation loses a pastor, for whom a replacement search has begun, and of gladness for her newly found opportunities.

I am attaching a link to a song written for a work colleague, and former Grace worshipper who faced the daunting change of working venue, especially having to move far away. I wrote these words for John Washburn and now share them with and for Pastor Karen. My apologies if the YouTube comes up with an ad at the beginning (as it sometimes does) clip “Skip” to bypass it. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=yKCZQA2IpPU