• 2848 County Road H2 • Mounds View, MN 55112 • (763) 784-1786 • Office Hours M-F 8-4:30 •

Faith Statement:

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.

Better Moms Make A Better World

What is a MOPS group?

MOPS groups are communities that strive to meet the needs of every mom with children from birth through kindergarten. MOPS recognizes that urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single and married moms all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be. MOPS groups can help!

There are more than 3900 MOPS groups meeting across the United States and in 35 countries around the world. MOPS groups meet regularly to celebrate the joys of motherhood and to encourage each other through the challenges.

The MOPS program is built on several foundational principles:

Community: MOPS provides an open, caring and accepting atmosphere where women can come together to share this important season of life.
Mentoring: Mature women listen, encourage and offer information and perspectives gained through experience.
Practical Instruction: Teaching focuses on area of common interest, offering inspiration and information that is relevant to the life of a mother.
Leadership Development: MOPS groups are organized and run my mothers of preschoolers, as well as for mothers of preschoolers. Women who are involved in MOPS gain confidence in their leadership skills through the training and experience they receive from MOPS.

The above principles can be carried out through different aspects of a MOPS group:

Discussion: The intimate and accepting atmosphere of a small group offers moms a chance to share their successes, failures, questions and concerns. It is during these times that a mom realizes that she is not alone, and lifelong friendships are formed.
Teaching: Topics presented at MOPS meetings celebrate motherhood and meet a mom’s unique needs during this season of life.
Creative Activities: Through creative projects and presentations, women are encouraged to experience the sense of accomplishment that comes with trying and finishing new things.
MOPPETS: During most MOPS meetings, children are cared for in a program called MOPPETS, where they experience love in a preschool-like setting.

What is MOPS International?

MOPS is about ...
           Celebrating motherhood
           Meeting needs
           Making Connections
           Experiencing God’s love...through relationships and resources.

MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be! MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy through the end of kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. MOPS also encourages and supports moms through resources such as books, the website (www.MOPS.org) and the MOPS International Membership.

MOPS beginnings

Eight women. The number was small, but the need was great. The first MOPS meeting took place in February 1973 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. For two hours, while their children received care, these mothers talked, laughed, ate, passed a basket for childcare expenses, had a craft demonstration, and ended with a short devotional. In this humble beginning, the seeds of the MOPS concept and format were planted. Through friendship, creative outlets and instruction, the women began to understand that "mothering matters."

Today, the same needs for significance are met in much the same way in MOPS groups across the United States and around the world.

When does Messiah MOPS meet?

Messiah MOPS sponsors 2 MOPS groups which meet at different times. Messiah’s sponsorship includes financial support, volunteers, space usage and Messiah staff support.

Daytime Messiah MOPS
Meets the 2nd Friday of each month, September through May from 9:15am to 11:30am.
For more information, please contact Cara at catcher0607@yahoo.com or 651-639-0557 or Kristie at gksherrard@yahoo.com or 763-780-6309.

Evening Messiah MOPS
Meets the 2nd Thursday evening of each month, September through May from 6:45pm to 8:30pm.
For more information, please contact Amy at abkarger@hotmail.com or 763-767-6009.

What does it cost?

$63.95 for the entire year (September – May).

$38.95 due in September for first semester (September – December).
$25.00 due in January for second semester (January – May).
Rates are adjusted if joining mid-semester.

How does this break down?

$23.95 MOPS International membership fee
$5 per meeting - This covers childcare, crafts and other program costs for 9 meetings.
One meeting is free!

Messiah MOPS would never turn anyone away due to their inability to pay.
Please contact Jen at 651-490-1268 for available scholarships.

Want to try it out before joining?

New moms may try one meeting without paying. Fees can be paid the next month.

Registration Forms:

You can download and print the forms here:
MOPS Registration Form
MOPPETS Registration Form

MOPS International Membership Fees

The MOPS International Membership brings the support and encouragement of MOPS International directly to your home. A MOPS International membership ($23.95) is required to join Messiah MOPS. Although no part of the $23.95 is used locally. Messiah MOPS does reap many benefits from MOPS International. Scholarships and discounts are available. As a member of MOPS International, you’ll receive the following benefits to encourage, equip and develop you to be a great mom!

2008-2009 MOPS International Membership Benefits

MOMSense Magazine
Bi-monthly subscription full of mothering expertise, parenting tips and fun things to do with your preschoolers!

MOM-E-Mail
Weekly bursts of encouragement!

MyMOPS Online Benefits
Special online membership benefits updated each month with mom and kid activities, contests, coupons, author discussions and FREE music downloads.

2008 Theme Book
The Mommy Diaries: Finding Yourself in the Daily Adventure
As you read accounts of how moms just like you have made their way through the adventure of mothering, you will gain insight into your own adventure.

What is MOPPETS?

MOPPETS is the MOPS childcare program (birth through the end of Kindergarten). While moms are in the MOPS meeting, children are cared for in age appropriate classes. These classes provide an opportunity for children to socialize and interact with other children in a safe, loving environment. It is also an opportunity for your child/ren to hear Bible stories, do a craft or sing.

MOPPETS Volunteers are always needed!

Have a friend or relative interested in volunteering in MOPPETS?
Contact Joline, MOPPETS Coordinator @ (763)572-8795.

2008-2009 MOPS Theme

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:18-19

Join the Adventure!
The MOPS International theme for 2008-09 is Adventures in Mothering. This theme equips us to learn more about ourselves as we go through the adventure of motherhood. We will celebrate and embrace the fun in the experiences, even in the midst of daily mom life that stretches us emotionally and spiritually. The metaphor for Adventures in Mothering is an amusement park. With the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the amusement park, motherhood might feel like a sensory overload. But our MOPS group will enjoy this together and learn more about ourselves as women, moms and leaders.

A theme provides a fun way to organize the MOPS year. The underlying reason for using a theme is to allow all MOPS groups to focus on a scriptural principle that will be developed throughout the year. The theme verse for Adventures in Mothering is Ephesians 3:18: “…how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” The dimensions of this verse express how God is with us in our mothering adventure. As the year unfolds, our MOPS group will examine the practical aspects of the theme and then move toward spiritual truth. The knowledge that God is with us on the mothering adventure gives hope. God’s love is big enough for the magnitude of the adventure!

2008-2009 Messiah MOPS Calendar of Meetings and Events

SEPTEMBER
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
INFORMATION BOOTH: “Getting Ready for the Ride”
Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
INFORMATION BOOTH: “Getting Ready for the Ride”
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008, 10am – 12pm, Eagle’s Nest Play Date, New Brighton Community Center

OCTOBER
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
ROLLER COASTER: “The Ups and Downs of Motherhood”
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
ROLLER COASTER: “The Ups and Downs of Motherhood”
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, 6:30pm, Mom’s Night Out, Eddington’s Soup & Salad, Coon Rapids, MN

NOVEMBER
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
FIRST AID STATION: “Help! We’re sick.”
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
FIRST AID STATION: “Help! We’re sick.”
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008, 6:00pm – 8:30pm, Gift Making Night at Messiah

DECEMBER
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
BIG TOP: “Get Back Under our Secure Place—God”
Friday, Dec. 12, 2008, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
BIG TOP: “Get Back Under our Secure Place—God”

JANUARY
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
ARCADE: “How to beat the winter blahs”
Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
ARCADE: “How to beat the winter blahs”
Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, 10am–12pm, Movie Morning with Pizza at Messiah

FEBRUARY
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
TUNNEL OF LOVE: “How to be your husband’s best friend”
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
TUNNEL OF LOVE: “How to be your husband’s best friend”

MARCH
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
FOOD COURT: “Feeding the ‘Least of these’”
Friday, March 13, 2009, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
FOOD COURT: “Feeding the ‘Least of these’”

APRIL
Thursday, April 16, 2009, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
FUN HOUSE: “Humor Me, I’m a MOM”
Friday, April 17, 2009, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
FUN HOUSE: “Humor Me, I’m a MOM”

MAY
Thursday, May 7, 2009, 6:45pm-8:30pm MOPS meeting at Messiah:
CAROUSEL: “Celebrating Motherhood”
Friday, May 8, 2009, 9:15am-11:30am MOPS meeting at Messiah:
CAROUSEL: “Celebrating Motherhood”

Messiah MOPS Yahoo Group

If you come to Messiah MOPS, please consider joining the Messiah MOPS community online! Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MessiahMOPS and sign up! This email group provides an easy way for Messiah MOPS Moms to communicate, share ideas, ask questions, send reminders, plan playdates, etc. For more information, please contact Cara at catcher0607@yahoo.com or Kristie at gksherrard@yahoo.com or Amy at abkarger@hotmail.com.

Links:
Messiah MOPS Yahoo! group
MOPS International

Last Updated 11/5/08