Back-to-School Extravaganza coming to NUMC

With the beginning of each school year comes the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to celebrate making new ones. In that spirit, Niwot United Methodist Church (7405 Lookout Rd., Gunbarrel) is hosting a Back-to-School Extravaganza on Sunday, Aug. 29, from 12-3 p.m. Everyone in the community is invited to come enjoy an afternoon of free food, carnival games, crafts, and, most of all, fun, Pastor Emily Kintzel said.

"We wanted to do something, especially in light of the last year and a half that we've all been living, to celebrate going back to school, and have an event to connect members of the community, and just come together and have fun."

The Extravaganza will feature activities for kids of all ages and energy levels, from crafts to a bounce Back-to-School Extravaganza coming to NUMC

house and dunk tank, where Kintzel, a former teacher, will be taking a turn. On the lunch menu is standard picnic fare, including hot dogs, chips, lemonade, and cookies.

For those interested in learning more about NUMC and its ecumenical activities, representatives from several of the church's ministries and mission groups will be on hand to provide further information.

"Things like what our youth do, our music program, and ways that we support outreach and mission activities," Kintzel said.

Masks are not required at the Extravaganza, except to use indoor restroom facilities. Though NUMC operations have returned to more normal footing since health restrictions were eased in June, Kintzel said the church has started encouraging the use of masks indoors due to rising concern over COVID-19's delta variant. "It's just to keep everybody safe and protected. But it's been good to have people back, and I know that everybody really appreciates being back in the building and seeing each other face-to-face, even half a face."

Kintzel hopes to see lots of faces at the Extravaganza on Aug. 29,

"To be a safe, fun place for people to come and gather is our goal. And what better time than when everybody's getting back to school and getting back to doing things."

For more information about the Extravaganza or NUMC in general, visit the church website at https://www.niwotumc.org/.