Beresford-Centerville Joint Parish of the United Church of Christ

Profile

Beresford UCC

109 North Fifth Street Beresford, South

Dakota

Centerville UCC 700 Main Street Centerville, South Dakota

One Family of Faith

Two Convenient Locations

Beresford UCC & Centerville UCC: A Yoked Team

The Beginning Centerville UCC

In 1871, five Congregationalists, with others, attended a service held in a farm house.

Regular worship services continued until the mid-1870s.

With the extension of the railroad from Hawarden, IA, to Centerville, regular services resumed with about 20 members.

In 1891, the church building was erected.

In 1931, the Methodist and Congregational churches united, becoming The Federated Church of Centerville, and used the Congregational church building as its home.

Today, the Federated Church is now the Centerville United Church of Christ. Beresford UCC

In 1884, the First Congregational Church of Beresford was organized by seven charter members.

In 1893, the church building was completed.

The present parsonage was built in 1953.

In 1964, the Congregational Church of Beresford elected to join the United Church of Christ. In 1966, the two church congregations yoked and have shared a full-time minister since then.

Who Should Our Pastor Be? Full-time Both congregations are looking for someone who will spiritually motivate them. The congregations believe that the best sermons are those relating to everyday experiences that can be presented with a

simplistic, down-to-earth method that incorporates daily life applications. His or Her preaching style should be Biblical and insightful. The Pastor should possess interpersonal skills which make him/her approachable and attentive to all people. The Pastor should have a Shepherd’s Heart – be someone who is interested in all the members of both churches by

visiting those who are in the hospital, recovering at home, or live in a health care facility. listening to us whether during a regular visitation or during a time of joy, trial, pain, or sorrow. having a good sense of humor regarding everyday life, church life, people, and himself/herself. visiting those who are currently not attending church. being visible in the community. being an effective outreach to the people of the community and involving members of the two churches in that

process. being open-minded and friendly.

He or She understands and demonstrates that the mission of the church extends outside the four walls of the church building.

He or She should be willing to seek opportunities for fellowship and ministry in the greater Christian community. He or She should be willing to grow and learn along with us!

Pastoral Salary, Benefits, and Expenses Offered Salary: based on South Dakota UCC Conference Guidelines; negotiable Housing: parsonage available in Beresford or option for housing allowance

Customary Benefits

1. Vacation 2. Maternity/Paternity Leave 3. UCC Retirement Annuity 4. UCC Life and Disability Insurance Benefits 5. UCC Health Benefits 6. UCC Dental Benefits 7. Social Security/Medicare Offset 8. Continuing Education 9. Sabbatical Leave

Ministry Expenses 1. Travel Reimbursement 2. Meeting Expense Reimbursement 3. Books and Periodicals 4. Moving Expenses

Two Churches Working Together

Although each church has its own governing body; its own methods of operation; its own budget; its own traditions; its own community relationship; its own distinct personality, a Joint Parish Board administers Joint Parish business, such as

Joint Parish finances and budget,

Personnel (minister and Joint Parish secretary),

Topics concerning both churches. The two churches alternate worship times annually, beginning on Labor Day Sunday. The two times have traditionally

been 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Joint services are held in both churches at different times of the year. Each church holds fundraisers throughout the year and attendees include members from each church as well as people

from each of the communities for most of the fundraisers. Members of both churches (along with members of Beresford’s Zion United Methodist Church) serve at The Banquet in

Sioux Falls once a year (usually in February) with food and fellowship. Confirmation class and activities for Eighth Graders are done jointly.

Membership

Active (2016) Beresford – 40 Centerville – 94

Average Attendance (52 weeks/ 2016) Beresford – 20.6 Centerville – 33 adults/ 7 youth

Location Eleven miles separate the physical location of each church with SD Highways 46 & 19A connecting the two communities. Both towns are close to Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city and home to several post-secondary institutions of

learning, one of which is the Sioux Falls Seminary; to Yankton, South Dakota’s seventh largest city and the Mother City of the Dakotas; to Vermillion, the home of the University of South Dakota. In addition, Sioux City, IA, is just 50 miles south on I-29 from the Beresford exit.

The Joint Parish Parsonage

An up-to-date 2960 square foot ranch style home that’s move-in ready!

Description The main level floor plan is ideal with 3 bedrooms (13’x12’; 13’x10’; 10’x10’); 1 full bath; a 20’x14’ open living room; a 15’x10’ formal dining area; a 27’x10’ kitchen/breakfast area; an 8’x6’ front entry way with beautiful refinished oak wood floors throughout. The

lower level features a 22’x18’ family room; a 2nd

bath; 2 large bedrooms without egress windows; a large laundry room & mechanical room. The home includes electric stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, new high efficiency windows, updated baths, new

high efficiency furnace, central air conditioning, & a single-car, detached garage. (It is not handicapped accessible.)

Distance from the Church—Next door

The 10’x24’ 3-season back porch

Current Ministries

Beresford: Small Group Bible Studies Women’s Fellowship Annual Serving at the Sioux Falls Banquet Meals-on-Wheels delivery two months annually Sponsor youth to attend Placerville, SD’s

UCC camp in the Black Hills Support Faith-in-Action community programs:

Food Pantry & Backpack Programs Good Friday Annual Silent Luncheon Salvation Army Collection Community Vacation Bible School

Centerville:

Sunday School Small Group Bible Studies Brown Bag Lunch Group Women’s Fellowship Annual Rummage Sale Annual Serving at the Sioux Falls Banquet Potato Fest on Palm Sunday Sponsor youth to attend Placerville, SD’s UCC camp in the

Black Hills Turkey Creek Revival Band for the community in summer

5-Day Club (similar to Vacation Bible Schol)

Similarities & Diversity Beresford Centerville

Three attributes of each community location, convenient

rural, small town atmosphere

welcoming, friendly

good school system

progressive

location, convenient

rural, small town atmosphere

welcoming, friendly

good school system

determined

Major trends envisioned in each community during the next five years more industry

revitalized Third Street (the old downtown)

shortage of workers

new community swimming pool

fine arts performance addition to the 1970’s school

more housing

school funding/school numbers growing

tough choices

business growth

more housing

stability

Problem areas confronting each community that members feel the church should address drugs & alcohol

hungry kids

supervised after-school activities (target group: teens)

the aged still living in their homes

drugs & alcohol

rundown properties

the hungry

Major trends envisioned in each church in the next five years struggle for relevancy in the community

church still open

growth – attracting younger members w/ families

have a Sunday school

keep members active

moving toward the non-traditional or at least attaining a balance w/ the traditional

struggle for relevancy in the community

more youth activities

bringing more families into the church

keep enrollment up

keep members active

Some strengths or positive qualities of each church excellent facilities & parsonage

financial stability & health

friendliness/everyone is welcome

hard-working members/togetherness

leadership in the SD Conference & the wider UCC

caring/giving/concerned

excellent facilities

strong/supportive of each other

we’re a “family,” not a congregation/a loving family

willingness to pitch in with labor & money

friendly/open to everyone

open to new suggestions

financially strong

The style & content of preaching which is valued by each church lectionary-based

down-to-earth, helping us apply Bible lessons to our lives

personal/relevant/true/thoughtful

includes children

stories/humor to go w/ Bible readings & sermons

Bible taken into today’s world

how current events can be applied to better living

someone who is “with us,” not “above us”

main subject/theme is something to remember all week

goes with the times

basic values

everyday lessons for life

Check us out @ www.bcucc.org;

www.beresfordsd.com; www.centervillesd.com;

www.beresford.k12.sd.us; www.centerville.k12.sd.us

Inside the Physical Facility: Beresford

Chancel & Sanctuary The Sanctuary seats 125.

The Sanctuary, but not the Chancel, is handicapped

accessible.

The church building is handicapped accessible at

the north entry.

Fellowship Hall

Seats 104+

The Fellowship Hall &

restrooms are handicapped

accessible, but the church office

is not.

Inside the Physical Facility: Centerville

The Sanctuary & Chancel

The Sanctuary & overflow

room seat 100.

The Sanctuary, but not the Chancel, is handicapped

accessible.

The church building has two handicapped accessible entry

ways.

Welcome Hall Seats 125

Welcome Hall, the

restrooms, & the offices are all handicapped

accessible.

The north end of Welcome Hall

The south end of Welcome Hall