Butler Township church gets new pastor
BUTLER TWP — An upbeat personality and positive attitude has invaded the main office at Christ Community United Methodist Church on North Duffy Road.
Dawn Lynn Check started her assignment July 1 as the new pastor at the church.
The Plum resident was most recently the pastor for five years at Otterbein United Methodist Church in Greensburg, Westmoreland County.
She started out in the broadcasting field, first as a producer at WTAE, then at KDKA radio, both in Pittsburgh.
After marrying her husband, Doran, and giving birth to her son, Jacob, Check worked in the retail field as an assistant buyer at the former Kaufman’s Department Store.
“I hated it,” she said.
She then saw a job at United Campus Ministry, where she was hired in 1990. The organization represented seven Protestant denominations.
“I found that I was at home,” Check said.
When her boss asked why she wasn’t attending seminary with the goal of becoming a pastor, she replied that pastors have to be a certain type of person.
“He said ‘You’re that type of person,’” Check recalled.
She took him up on the challenge and graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1998 with a Master’s degree in divinity.
“I had wanted to be a minister since I was a child,” Check said. “I don’t remember wanting to do anything else.”
Regarding plans for the church, Check said she hopes to build on the already thriving and recently expanded preschool program.
“One of my goals is to continue to grow the program and more intentionally reach out to families about it,” Check said.
She looks forward to the Breakthrough Butler program using the church’s facilities, as the organization just signed a lease at Christ Community.
Breakthrough Butler is a nonprofit organization that provides Butler area youth a place to hang out, play sports, and participate in Bible study and other activities in the interest of building healthy relationships and learning invaluable life lessons.
“We want to be that safe space where everyone is welcomed, regardless of race, economic issues, gender or ability,” Check said. “None of that matters. Be who you are. That’s how this church is.”
She wants to make Christ Community U.M. more than just a Sunday-morning church, but a place where all are accepted and welcomed.
“No matter who you are or what your story is, we don’t care,” Check said. “That’s not how it is here, at all.
“We are always glad to see new faces and new helping hands.”
The Rev. Deborah Ackley-Killian is the superintendent of the Butler and Franklin districts of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Ackley-Killian, who appointed Check to Christ Community United Methodist Church, said Check is a great fit there for many reasons.
“Dawn is absolutely committed to Jesus Christ,” Ackley-Killian said. “She is a passionate preacher.”
She listed Check’s heart for community outreach, unwavering commitment to justice, passion for biblical preaching, dedication to intergenerational ministry, and skill with all ages of worshippers as specific gifts Check brings to Christ Community.
“She is extremely gifted in communications and was a broadcast communicator before coming into the pastorate, so she brings all those gifts and can reach congregants both in church and their homes,” Ackley-Killian said.
She said Check also is passionate about bringing new members into the church.
“I’m thrilled to have her be a part of the Butler District,” Ackley-Killian said.
