a long-standing presence in the Centreville area for over 100 years. Originally two parishes, they combined in 1959 to become one location that it is today. With a community hall, church, and playground area, there is much to see at their campus. The church also runs many additional programs for the community such as Sunday school and Vacation Bible school during the summer, in addition to supplying this open playground for the community. 
“Being a safe place for families and children here in our community is why we are here,” said Rev. Karen Handy, Pastor of the Centreville United Methodist Church, when asked about their community and recent update to their playground. “This playground is used by more than just our parishioners. Members of the community come weekly and bring their children to play, have picnics, and just enjoy themselves. We knew that this playground was important not only to our church members, but many others.” 
The playground that is included in their campus has been a community staple for over 30 years. The original playground, a set of wooden structures, was becoming unsafe and beyond repair. “Over the years, we have had Boy Scout troops come fix parts of it for their Eagle Scout project, but in 2020, our Board of Trustees decided that it was time to replace the playground with new, safer equipment that was friendly for all ages and disabilities,” said Handy. 
When it was decided, the community pulled together to help the church with this new project. Downes Lawn Care, a local business and parishioner of the church, donated their time first to demolishing the old playground so that they could begin construction. 
After that was completed, they began raising funds to prep the ground and place new equipment on site. With the help from many community businesses, they began raising funds. Handy and a parishioner both remembered that the Choptank Electric Trust could be a place to look for funding, and they applied in Sept 2021. 
Seeing the need immediately, the Choptank Electric Trust jumped at the opportunity to support this community investment. “This type of work is vital for a flourishing community,” said Donna Landis-Smith, Queen Anne’s County’s representative on the Choptank Electric Trust Board. “Supporting the community as a whole is how the Choptank Electric Trust wants to concentrate their funding.” 
Donating $2,500 toward the cost of the playground in October 2021, and with the help of many other community businesses and private donations, they were able to build the playground and dedicate it on October 24, 2021. 
“When we reached out to the community and asked for their help, there was no hesitation. Everyone wanted to be involved, and the Choptank Electric Trust board was another partnership that we were happy to make to complete this project,” said Handy. 
While the church is still working on minor additions to the playground like adding a bench, some other playground items, and sprucing up a few picnic tables, they are looking forward to utilizing this playground for many years to come.
“This spring, we are looking to stage our Easter egg hunt for the children,” said Handy. “But we are already looking at additional programs that we can develop for the community as well. We are hoping to start a story time of sorts. We would invite the community to come read a fun book with us, and then they could play on the playground after it was over.” 
For more information about the Centreville United Methodist Church, members can visit https://centreville-umc.com/