Welcome to the Grounds of Church of the Good Shepherd

Take a brief tour of the beautiful outdoor spaces that surround Church of the Good Shepherd. From our teaching garden to our peaceful columbarium and prayer labyrinth, our grounds invite reflection, community, and connection with God's creation.

The Food Forest

As you enter the lower driveway, the Food Forest will be on your right.

Church of the Good Shepherd has entered into an agreement with The Permaculture Garden of Grayson Landcare to allow them to use a corner of our property to create a Food Forest. It is a teaching and production garden that demonstrates sustainable practices and produces food to be distributed in the community. The front page of our website features a video about this garden, which is also used for special events. Visitors are warmly welcome to tour the garden and enjoy its flowers.

The Labyrinth and Columbarium

When you enter the lower parking lot, you will see a grass labyrinth on your left, in front of the downstairs entrance door. The labyrinth offers a quiet space for prayer, meditation, and reflection.

Looking up the hill, you will see the columbarium. While we do not have a cemetery, niches are available in the columbarium for the remains of loved ones. We also allow QR Discs to be attached to the columbarium—digital discs that share the story of the person whose cremains rest in the niche. Attaching a disc requires the approval of the church.

The Upper Grounds

As you continue up to the upper parking lot, you will see a retaining wall. The columbarium can also be accessed by a walkway from the upper parking lot. The grounds of the church extend up to the fence line above the retaining wall, and the property between the retaining wall and the fence is used by local farmers to harvest hay.

The main entrance to the church is accessed from the upper parking lot. As you approach the front upper entrance, look for the compass design set into the walkway—a time capsule was buried beneath it when the church was constructed in 2005.

The Playground and Flowering Cross

To the left of the church is a fenced-in playground for children. Just beyond the playground stands a cross that is flowered each Easter—a beloved tradition and beautiful symbol of resurrection and new life.

We invite you to visit our grounds any time and experience the beauty and peace they offer.