Niwot United Methodist welcomes new pastor

The Niwot United Methodist Church welcomed a new pastor earlier this month in Rev. Emily Kintzel, a Colorado native and experienced clergy member. She replaces Rev. Walter "Skip" Strickland, who came out of retirement to serve as interim pastor for the last year.

Prior to coming to Niwot, Kintzel was the pastor at the Lyons Community Church for several years. She has also served as a pastor in Evans, Colo., and spent 11 years as a youth director in Longmont before taking the position at NUMC. She still lives in Longmont with her husband Jason and four children.

"I grew up in the Methodist church in Colorado," Kintzel said. "I was involved all through growing up, I was always really active. Mission has been a big part of who I am. My senior year of high school was the first time I felt called to the ministry."

But something told her she wasn't ready for ministry, and after high school, Kintzel became a teacher, working in the area.

"I think when I first got called there were so many things I had to do ... I stayed involved in the church but I wasn't ready," Kintzel said. "When I got the call again, there was more peace and I felt prepared. I think what I needed was more life experience before I went to seminary. It's all about timing and God's timing and there were a lot of things that I needed to do and needed to learn before I could be the best pastor I could be. Those life experiences, timing is an important part in everything."

Since she was still involved with the church, mission trips were a part of that. On one of them, she had her second calling to join the ministry. She went to Iliff School of Theology and obtained her Master of Divinity degree.

Fast forward to her work in Niwot, which is celebrating its 150th year in 2020. Kintzel said that the community of Niwot and the church family at NUMC is in a good place.

"It's been an interesting time to start at a new church," Kintzel said. "Building community and getting to know each other has been challenging. But the church itself is a strong community that checks in on everybody to make sure needs are met."

She also continues to work with the youth and all members of the congregation through the church's Facebook page and Zoom calls that Kintzel says are well-attended.

"It serves a great way to see each other's faces," Kintzel said. "I think aside from the touch, just seeing each other's faces and keeping that connection strong is important. Since the church itself had already built up such a strong relationship, it's easier to keep that going in this time."

There is also a "story time" on Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. on the church's Facebook page where she reads a story from the Bible and discusses the lesson. Anyone viewing is able to ask questions and discuss the message. Meant for youth, Kintzel said many adults view regularly. It's all about connecting in any way possible.

"I think none of us are too old for story time," Kintzel said. "Quite a few people of all ages listen and comment on that.

"I think it's so important that we keep a safe place to ask hard questions and have discussions about what's going on in our lives and know that the people you're talking to care deeply about you is such an important part of it. If you ask anyone in this church, whether or not they help with the youth, they care. That for me is so heart-warming. There's this connection with the whole congregation."

Aside from current setbacks with in-person gatherings, Kintzel said she is happy to be a part of a strong church family that is willing to find ways to connect regardless.

"I am really excited about being part of this church and being part of the community," Kintzel said. "That's also a value of the church is being a part of the area and I look forward to helping the church continue to be involved in the Niwot and Left Hand Valley area."