North Scottsdale United Methodist Church is celebrating the milestone of a new school year with a blessing and mission project.

NSUMC will offer blessings on students, educators, their mobile devices and backpacks during worship service 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13.

In addition, a back-to-school supply drive will collect school supplies for children that will be donated to the Vista del Camino Community Center in south Scottsdale. This event is free and open to the public.

Free backpack tags will be handed out to all students in attendance on Aug. 13, according to a press release. The backpack tag is a reminder that God is with the students in their daily life and that their church family will be praying for them throughout the year.

Don’t have any students at home? All are invited to be a blessing to other less fortunate children by donating backpacks and school supplies for Vista del Camino Community Center to help families that need support at the beginning of the school year, the release stated.

Vista del Camino is a recreational facility in south Scottsdale that offers after-school care, clothing, food and financial support to less fortunate children.

“We look forward to the NSUMC back-to-school supply drive. While the city of Scottsdale had huge success helping over 800 students in July, we still have requests to fill,” Julia Bautista, director of special programs for Vista del Camino, said in the release.

NSUMC holds Sunday service and Sunday school in person and online. Children and youth activities include choir, volleyball, mission trips, small groups, festivals and youth groups.

For more information about NSUMC or any of these events, contact the church office at 480-948-0529.