Did you know the playground behind Church of the Shepherd isn’t just for members of the church? When we built the Let’s Play! Community Playground a little over a year ago, we hoped it would be a place where kids of all abilities could have fun together and serve as a visual invitation to those in our community to join in.

Since then, we’ve seen countless smiles on kids’ faces, heard the sound of excited laughter, and listened to stories of families meeting when they otherwise may not have. You’ve been using the playground to build community in our own backyard!

Here’s what one family has to say about their experience on the playground:

“We are so excited that the weather is warming up so we can utilize the playground more often! Even though I’m positive our girls would play on the playground rain, sunshine, snow, cold, and anything in between! To me the playground is an extension of the church…just outside! We love to go after church or during the summer days to meet up with friends (or meet new ones) and burn off extra energy! We’ve connected with several families after church services. It’s the perfect place to let the kids play and have fun (and they are making relationships at the same time) and the grown-ups can have kid-free conversations…which means getting to know people better and building those relationships!” – The Gaghen Family

If you haven’t had the chance to play, there’s always time to join in! And while you’re here, check out the new Lending Library next to the playground. Books have been flying off the shelf, so if you have books taking up room at home, come share them in the library.