Rev. Bennett Clough, United Church of Faulkton. Dakotas Conference photo.

“I feel like we are recapturing the Spirit. Circuit ministry is in my heart. It is what the Lord wanted me to do,” said Rev. Bennett Clough, who serves at United Church of Faulkton in South Dakota and has started a worship service in Seneca, South Dakota.

In July, Clough was appointed to serve Faulkton's United Methodist faith community in north central South Dakota. He transferred from the North Georgia Conference, where he served rural congregations from 2019-2025.

The average weekly worship attendance at Faulkton United’s 10:30 a.m. Sunday service is 80. The congregation has three weekly Bible studies, an ecumenical youth group, a joint confirmation class with the Lutheran congregation in town, and a children’s ministry.

“Faulkton is a wonderful, welcoming community. The congregation is very supportive of each other and me,” said Clough. “There is a wonderful sense of community here.”

Pastor Bennett visited the Dakotas a couple of years prior to being appointed to the Dakotas Conference. He travelled with a friend to view the landscape and visit the rural communities. One of those communities was Seneca, South Dakota.  Seneca is a town of 22 people. The closest United Methodist worshipping congregation is 20 miles to the east in Faulkton.

“We saw a lot of closed churches as we travelled. When we got to Seneca, we saw churches closed, even the United Methodist Church. Every community needs a church,” said Pastor Clough. “After I arrived in Faulkton, I looked on Google Earth and found that there was a Community Center.”

Six months into his appointment, Pastor Bennett decided, with the help of the congregation in Faulkton, to start a worship service in Seneca.

“I called the city office in Seneca and talked with Lois about renting the community center. After visiting with the Parish Pastor Relations Committee, we decided to offer a service in Seneca once a month,” shared Pastor Bennett.

Fliers were posted around the Seneca community advertising a worship service at 3 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. It was also announced to the congregation in Faulkton and posted on Faulkton United’s Facebook page.

The Methodist Hymnal in 1966. (Photo courtesy etsy.com)

The first service was held on Sunday, January 2. Fifteen people attended, including Pastor Bennett, his wife, and the pianist.

“I talked about why we were here. We wanted to build fellowship and share the Gospel,” stated Pastor Bennett. “Every person stayed for coffee after the worship service. It felt right. God wanted us there.”

The songs, scripture, and message for the Seneca worship service are intentionally different from those at Faulkton United. The Worship Committee at Faulkton United assists in planning the worship service by selecting the music that supports the scripture and message. Participants at Seneca join in singing from the 1966 Methodist Hymnals. A keyboard was purchased for the worship service at Seneca.

Some of the people who attend in Seneca are from Tolstoy, S.D. The Tolstoy United Methodist Church disaffiliated in 2023. Four members from Tolstoy joined Faulkton United. The service in Seneca reduces travel for those from Tolstoy.

“It is 35 miles from Tolstoy to Faulkton. Seneca is just 15 miles from Tolstoy. The service in Seneca is more convenient for them,” describes Pastor Bennett.  “One of our piano players, Nancy Trefz, is from Tolstoy. She used to be the mail carrier there. That is a great connection!”

The second service in Seneca was held on February 1; thirteen people attended. One couple, who attended in January, travelled south for the winter.

Methodist circuit rider in the 1800's. (Photo from UMC.org)

“There were a few people who came in February that were not there in January. About one-half of those who attended were not associated with Faulkton United Church,” said Pastor Bennett. “Everyone hung around and visited after worship. It felt very comfortable. My favorite comment was, ‘It felt like we were in the 1800’s during the Methodist circuit riders.’”

Congregation members from Faulkton provide the treats for fellowship after the worship in Seneca. Discernment and prayer will chart the future of worship in Seneca.

“There is a community fundraising event coming up, and we hope to have a presence there,” said Pastor Bennett. “We are discerning how to move forward. This is something God has called us to do!”