MOPS & MOMSnext

Fall Semester Plan 

Where:

What is MOPS & MOMSnext?

MOPS is open to ANY mother of children, birth through kindergarten.

• When you're wading though diapers and sleepless nights
• When all of your kid's needs are on you
• When you're isolated and in need of community and support

MOMSnext is open to ANY mother of school-aged children (1st-12th grade)

• When we’re past the diaper years and sleeping through the night…
• When we’re meeting more emotional needs than physical ones…
• When our kids are transitioning from dependance to independence

While we all meet together, you will be seated at a table specific to the stage of motherhood you find yourself in. If you happen to be in both stages of motherhood, let us know which group you would like to sit with when you register.

Who can be in MOPS & MOMSnext?

Moms - if you are pregnant or have kids birth through school-aged MOPS & MOMSnext is for you. Stepmom, adoptive mom, birth mom, foster mom, working mom, stay at home mom - all types of moms are welcome!

What is this year's theme?

This year, we want to tell you two things that will change your life if you believe them.

First, you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Second, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you have work to do; meaningful work that was built into your DNA before you were born. Work that you were made for. Sometimes, we believe that our motherhood is a constraint that limits what we can do in this life. We want to remind you that motherhood isn’t a constraint – it’s a catalyst. In fact, God appointed a woman named Deborah to be a judge over the nation of Israel. She was a leader, warrior and prophetess who ultimately helped an entire nation rediscover its identity and destiny as the people of God. And she declared that she accomplished it because she AROSE AS A MOTHER.

The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7 (ESV)

Before God appointed Deborah, the inhabitants of Israel were distressed and had no fight left in them. Does this sound familiar? Is it possible that through this MOPS community of ours, each of us could reignite a sense of strength, joy and courage back into ourselves, our homes and our culture?

This is the year we arise as mothers to awaken a weary and sleeping world. The year to accept and believe that God will fulfill his promises to you, and to embrace your motherhood as a catalyst to his plans and promises for you.

Here are the three things we will do to remind ourselves of who God made us to be:

BE STRONG: Arise as a mother. This is your year to get strong physically and mentally. To own the body you’ve been given and build muscle and stamina so you can do all the things that God is calling you to do; important things like chase your kids around the backyard, carry groceries for your elderly neighbor, or even build a mud house for a family in Rwanda. To embrace your own body’s abilities and build it up – whatever your physical ability may be. It also means being strong mentally. Sometimes our thought life needs a little tightening up. It might mean seeing a therapist who can give you tools for dealing with anxiety, or maybe developing mental stamina so you can endure the daily toddler meltdowns. Often we wait for all the right details to come into place before we act, but maybe this is the year God is saying, “Stop waiting and get to it.” Body and mind – this is the year we embrace the self that God gave us.

DO YOUR WORK: Doing your work happens in big and small, but always significant ways. It’s about persevering through the daily grind of essential but mundane tasks; and it’s also about making brave choices to do new things. Doing your work looks different for each of us, but everyone’s work will require some grit and courage. Maybe it’s choosing forgiveness, healing from past trauma, or making amends to those you’ve hurt. Maybe it’s sharing the secret you’ve been carrying for years, or unlearning harmful patterns of behavior. And when it comes to mothering … God gave those kids to you, Mama! You’ve been appointed and no one else can mother them like you. You are made of brave spirit. You’ll figure it out because you always have, and you have God and your MOPS sisters by your side.

CHASE JOY: Actively seeking out joy is how we fight discouragement and fear. It’s how we fight our tendency to complain, accuse or be offended. Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you will respond to life in all its circumstances. Joy is the most magnetic and contagious force in the universe, the type that people around you can’t help but notice – especially those looking up toward their mom. It is a gladness that’s not just reserved for happy moments, but particularly during the hardest days that come your way. Joy is the deep knowing that you were made for more than anxiety, depression and fear. This is your year to reclaim joy and share it with others!

Schedule (when MOPS returns to Thursday mornings):

9:15      Sign in Children at MOPSkids

9:30     Brunch Begins

10:00    Group Activity (speaker, crafts, games, video, etc.)

11:00    Open Conversation at Tables

12:00    Gathering Ends, pick-up children

What does a MOPS & MOMSnext gathering look like?

We meet bi-weekly on Thursdays. There are about 60 women in our group; every mom has a table of about 8 women that they sit with each week so you have the chance to build great friendships. These tables all have a Mentor Mom- a mom with grown kids, who is there to be a listening ear and support to you in this amazing season of life.

Each table of women takes turns bringing brunch to share with the other tables, your table will bring brunch only once or twice a semester, all the other weeks you get a fabulous brunch that you didn't have to cook or clean up after! After brunch we have time either having an activity and craft, or hearing from a guest speaker or a MOPS International speaker video. Some of the topics that our guest speakers cover range from parenting and marriage, finances and health, self-care, friendship and many other topics relevant to your mom life.

Our main goal in our weekly gathering is for you to find support, encouragement and friendship with other moms as you face the challenges and joys of motherhood together - you don't have to do this alone.

Cost:

*** Register for your first visit at NO COST! ***

Cost for moms is $90 per year (or $50 per semester)

Fees cover all activities for MOPS. You can pay per Semester or save by paying for the full year up front!

Scholarships are available.