Zion Community Church

MOPS

ZION COMMUNITY CHURCH’S

What is MOPS?

MOPS stands for “Mothers Of PreschoolerS“; an international organization designed to meet the unique needs of mothers whose children are not yet school-aged. MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ. MOPS helps moms recognize that they have needs too and when they take the time to meet those needs they are more effective in meeting the needs of their families.
For more information on MOPS International check out their website at www.mops.org

What Will I Do at MOPS?

There are TWO MOPS meetings at Zion Community Church:

1. Zion MOPS AM Group - Our MOPS morning begins at 9:00 AM when the children, called MOPPETS, are checked into our Children’s Area. At 9:30 AM, MOPS begins with a delicious breakfast food and table talk. (Don’t worry if you are running late – you are always welcome!). Next is a time for moms to be inspired and challenged by our speaker who will talk on a variety of topics designed to encourage moms to be the best they can be. Then, small groups have time to discuss together what they just heard, giving each mom a chance to share her thoughts and ideas, struggles and successes. The morning concludes with a social activity or craft time giving moms the chance to complete something special for her home or to be given as a gift.
2. Zion MOPS PM Group – Our MOPS evenings begins with childcare (MOPPETS) check-in starting at 6:30 PM.  At 7:00 PM, MOPS begins with an assortment of desserts and appetizers (who says you can’t eat cake for dinner) and table talk.  Next is a time for moms to be inspired and challenged by our speaker for the evening.  Then, small groups have time to discuss together what they just heard, giving each mom a chance to share her thoughts and ideas, struggles and successes.  The evening concludes with a social activity or craft time giving moms the chance to express their creative side.

Who Can Come?

All mothers of with children ages birth through kindergarten (including pregnant moms) are invited. You do not need to be a member of Zion Community Church to join us.

What About my Children?

Josh Bower, our Associate Minister, has planned an amazing time for children of all ages.  Though the majority of children are preschool, we welcome all children to be enrolled in MOPPETS (Infants and nursing infants are always welcome to stay with mom.) During this time the children listen to a Bible Story, sing songs, have a snack, make a craft and have lots of fun.

When Is MOPS?

The ZionMOPS AM group meets on the first Thursday of every month.  MOPPETS child check-in begins at 9:00 AM and our MOPS meeting begins at 9:30 AM and ends at 11:30 AM.  Mark the following dates in your schedule book now for the 2009-2010 year:

• October 1
• November 5
• December 3
• January 7 - POSTPONED due to heating at the Church. Date TBA!
• February 4
• March 4
• April 1
• May 6
• June 3

The ZionMOPS PM group meets on the third Thursday from January May 2010.  MOPPETS childcare check begins at 6:30 PM and our MOPS meeting begins at 7 PM and ending at 8:30 PM.  Mark the following dates in your schedule book:

• January 21
• February 18
• March 18
• April 15
• May 20

What Is The Cost?

If this is your first time visiting Zion MOPS, we ask that you come and relax and enjoy the pampering.  Then if you are interested in joining MOPS, the total cost for MOPS is $23.95/year which covers registration with MOPS International. With your MOPS International registration you will receive a welcome package with goodies for you, the MOPS bi-monthly magazine subscription to “MOMsense”, the book “Life Together on Planet Mom” that coordinates with the 2009-2019 theme, and a weekly online newsletter.  This also guarantees childcare if our group becomes too large and non-member moms will be on a waiting list.

Please note that we do not want anyone to be prevented from coming because of the cost. If you need to receive a partial/full scholarship, we would love to offer you the opportunity

And Introducing: MOPS International Theme for 2009-10:

In 2009-2010, we are going to Outer Space!  The MOPS Experience equips women for the joys and challenges of their lives as moms. One key factor in the MOPS Experience is the relationships built within a group. Time and time again, MOPS moms share that the friends they make in MOPS are significant for this season of their life and on into their future. God created us for relationship! It’s one of the defining parts of being human.

However, when you become a mom, all your relationships change. It’s like you have landed on a different planet—Planet Mom—and the relationships on Planet Mom don’t look like the ones on your previous planet. Your relationship with yourself is different—you are a mom! Your relationship with your husband, girlfriends, extended family, community and God have all changed. Many of these changes are positive, some are not. Even positive change requires adjustments on your part.

During the 2009-10 MOPS year, we will explore how to thrive in relationships Together on Planet Mom.

The theme book for 2009-10 is Life on Planet Mom: A Down to Earth Guide to Your Changing Relationships by Lisa T. Bergren. The book is part of the MOPS International Membership benefit.

The foundation of being Together on Planet Mom is that God is with us and we are created for relationship with him and each other. We are created to “do life” together. This is definitely true for us as both moms and leaders. The more we draw together in community, the better we are able to thrive as women and moms. And in MOPS leadership, we are better together than individually, which is why the emphasis in MOPS leadership is working together on a team.

This life together is underlined in our theme verse for the year, where Jesus promises: “For where two or three come together … there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

More Questions?

If you have any questions that are not answered here feel free to contact Sarah Tevis, Coordinator at ZionMOPS@gmail.com, or Zion Community church at 814-383-4161.

“What Mops has provided for me…is a welcome break; a chance to make new friends; the opportunity to know I’m not the only mom who goes through the struggles and joys of raising young children…””