Purpose Statement

MOPS Purpose 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.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

You and Your Friends are Invited to an
Inspirational and Enjoyable Afternoon Tea...

WHEN: Wednesday, 2nd June

TIME: 1 pm to 3 pm

WHERE: Maroochy Baptist Church, 186 Wises Rd Buderim

TOPIC: Moving from your comfort zone, and realising your true potential!

COST: FREE, and if you have time, please bring a small plate to share

Speakers...

Lauralee Berill, mum of two girls and FAME Consulting Australia program director. Lauralee and her husband run programs incorporating fitness, motivation, adventure and education.

Kim Morrison and Fleur Whelligan – international, best- selling authors of 5 books, including “Like Chocolate for Women”. Their motto is "self-care is not selfish, it’s essential!" This dynamic duo have travelled the world motivating people and transforming lives
by providing self-care tools.

RSVP: Lisa Lindley 0417540820 OR
lisa.lindley@optusnet.com.au

Please visit Sunshine Coast Children's Development Centre at ... http://www.sccdc.com.au/
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lauralee Berrill

Lauralee started within the Adventure Education Industry over a decade ago. Over the years she has developed and implemented Corporate and Youth Team Development programs in Australia, Asia and USA. Her key skills include development of health and well being programs for both individual and corporate groups.

Lauralee Berrill - Program Co-ordinator
B. Ex Sc; JP Qualified; Personal Trainer
http://www.corporatefame.com.au/teambuilding/

Kim Morrison and Fleur Whelligan
Speakers, Authors, Businesswomen

Kim Morrison and Fleur Whelligan – Australasia’s Self-Care Gurus.
For more than two decades Kim Morrison and Fleur Whelligan have inspired and entertained audiences around the world. Their ‘duo delivery ‘is captivating.
They empower their audiences to make positive changes in their lives by adopting simple, sensible and practical ideas and tools.
Posted by Tracey at 9:50 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 14, 2010

Summary of MOPS: May 14th 2010

Mother's Day Celebration

Wow...what a morning! Today was a wonderful celebration of motherhood with our panel of 'Wise Mums', and a morning of indulgence and pampering with a High Tea, plus our Mary Kay beauty consultants, Mary and Nanette.

You would have been forgiven for thinking you had walked into an English Teahouse today with the laced table cloths, fine china tea cups and plates and gorgeous posies of flowers adorning the tables. The scene was set for a delicious and very indulgent High Tea to celebrate Mother's Day at MOPS. Angela, our new Hospitality Coordinator, did a beautiful job of decorating and flower arranging, and put a great deal of effort into making the High Tea theme successful. Angela and her team of helpers also made everyone feel extra special by providing table service with a smile!


Our 'Wise Mums' panel included two of our MOPS Mentors, Sadie McCarthy and Dot Frankel, a mother of three young adults, Lin Smith, and a mother of five children (including a set of twins), Rosalie Barrett. These wonderful mums, all with very different mothering experiences, answered a variety of questions on motherhood prepared earlier by our MOPS Mums. Whether it be how to be a good wife/partner to your husband, or how to deal with the loneliness of early motherhood, or how to get involved with other Mums in the same life stage as you, I think most of us can say that we all learned something about mothering from the testimonies given by these experienced ladies.


Throughout the morning we had some lovely lucky-door prizes for a few lucky ladies, including nail polishes, eye shadows and a gorgeous gift from our Mary Kay consultants.

Mary Munns and Nanette Barter, both consultants with Mary Kay Cosmetics, graciously provided some valuable advice on applying make-up and shared some tricks of the trade with the MOPS mums.

We were priveleged to have two make-up demonstrations - one of a quick daytime make-up for busy mums as you rush out the door, and the other was a glamorous evening make-up for that special occasion. Our beautiful models were Jodie and Loren and here are the pictures to prove how gorgeous they looked...whoo hoo!


And while all this beautifying was going on, we also had some more pampering available with foot spas to soak your tired feet, manicures and eyebrow waxing! What more could you want from your MOPS group...no need to go to a beautician anymore!


All in all, I hope that everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable and indulgent experience, and that you all connected with someone new this week. Thanks go to all our panel Mums, to Mary and Nanette from Mary Kay and to our willing models who participated in the make-up demonstrations.

Blessings from the MOPS@MBC team, and see you all at the next MOPS on 28th May. xo

Posted by Tracey at 2:47 PM Labels: , , , 0 comments

Friday, May 07, 2010

A (free) chance to kickstart a fitness program?

I noticed in the Weekender that both Fernwood Maroochydore and Suncoast Fitness Health Club have some freebies on offer for a short period of time.

Fernwood: Zumba has arrived (its meant to be really fun!). From the 24th to 30th May ALL CLASSES ARE FREE BRING A FRIEND (BOOK NOW). 45 fitness classes on offer each week including zumba, yoga, pilates and more. Phone 5479 0744

Suncoast Fitness: 7 Day Free Trial (you need to present the voucher from this Thursdays Weekender magazine). Offer ends 30th May. 102 Wises Rd Maroochydore. Phone 5443 1870
Posted by Michele @ The Hills are Alive at 8:40 PM 0 comments

Free Parenting Programs as part of a research project

Rosalie (Table Leader and MOPS Mum) has kindly passed on this information re a research study that was advertised at the kindy her little ones go to.

* They are looking for parents of children aged 3-5 years
* These parents may have concerns about their child's behaviour, emotions or social skills or simply interested in learning more about being a parent
* Interested in participating in a program that will help build your childrens confidence, self esteem and self-control
* Free parenting programs
* Available in your local area as part of a research study to understand more about how parenting programs help families
* The two programs on offer are the Triple P Program and the Circle of Security
* Both take eight weeks to complete
* Programs delivered by trained psychologists and social workers who all have significant experience in supporting parents
* Principal researcher is Joe Coyne who is completing his PhD Research through the University of Queensland and is currently Director of the Masters of Education and Developmentat Psychology at QUT
* Both are proven to be effective, helpful to parentsand provide lasting benefits to children and families
* Families would be randomly allocated to either Triple P OR Circle of Security OR a Waitlist followed by a parenting program (i.e., you do not get to choose the program you are allocated to. This is standard practice in research and is to ensure there isnt a self-selection bias that is a certain type or personality all choosing one program over the other and mixing the meaning of the results)
* If you are interested in finding out more or participating please contact Corinna May on 0468 676 984
Posted by Michele @ The Hills are Alive at 8:34 PM 0 comments
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Theme Scripture

Psalm 139

1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand — when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Annual MOPS Participation Fee

The annual MOPS Participation Fee of $10 assists MOPS Australia in covering the cost of training for Regional Coordinators to help other MOPS groups to develop around Australia. It also allows more MOPS group leaders around Australia to access regional training.

This will go a long way to helping MOPS Australia bring MOPS to more Mums around Australia.

When you register for MOPS each year, you will be handed an Annual Participation Fee form, and we ask that if you are able to pay this $10 participation fee, please do so before the end of April 2011.

The payment options are...
1. Direct Debit to MOPS Australia bank account
2. Credit card
3. Cheque payable to MOPS Australia
4. Cash to MOPS@MBC front desk

Thank you, from the MOPS@MBC team.

How did MOPS begin?

It was a Tuesday morning, at about 9.30. They each had faced spilled cereal, tangled hair, and a few had even been forced to change their outfits due to a last-minute baby throw-up on a shoulder or lap. They had driven, or pushed strollers, to the church and had dropped their little ones off in the creche. They had made it!

And now they sat, knees almost touching, in the circle of children's chairs from the Sunday school room. Hands held hot cups of tea and biscuits in utter freedom because this treat did not have to be shared with a child's sticky fingers. Mouths moved in eager, uninterrupted conversation. Eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Hearts stirred with understanding. Needs were met.

That morning in 1973, was the first morning of MOPS, or Mothers of Preschoolers. Little was it known that from this small beginning in a church in Colorado, USA, the seeds of the MOPS concept and format had been planted. The needs of the women were met even then, through the opportunity for friendship, creative outlet and spiritual emphasis. MOPS International now charters approximately 2,500 MOPS groups in churches in the United States and 13 other countries throughout the world.

How did MOPS begin in Australia?

How did MOPS begin in Australia?

Nineteen years later and thousands of kilometres away, the same mutual need for sharing was realised by a group of mums with children under school age in Melbourne. After reading about the MOPS concept in the US, leaders introduced the program to the Clayton Church of Christ Fellowship in early 1990 and MOPS was born in Australia. From this small beginning, the seeds for future growth were planted, resulting in the formation of an affiliated body to support the ever-increasing number of Australian groups and the mums they served.

Since its formation in June 2000, MOPS Australia, Inc has grown rapidly and there are currently over 100 groups throughout Australia. In the last year alone, 35 new groups have commenced, with groups starting up regularly throughout different Christian denominations. Groups now meet in every state and territory in Australia, with an estimated ministry to approximately 2500 mums and 3000 children.

How did MOPS begin at MBC?

A Brief History of MOPS at MBC by Karen Askey-Doran (COordinator of MOPS til 2008 and currently Regional Coordinator).

In 1999, the leader of MBC’s women’s ministry caught the vision of MOPS. At that time I was a new Mum with little inclination to help; I was interested but not convicted!

Roughly a year later another meeting was held to generate interest. At this time I had another little baby girl, a 16-month-old toddler and, although I was unaware of it, Post Natal Depression. And once again people were interested but not compelled to lead.

In 2005 Holly, caught the vision of MOPS and began to sow the seeds of interest throughout the young Mums in our church. Robyn Robertson came to our first meeting and inspired us into action…the seeds Holly planted took hold!

People came slowly at first to fill the positions, it seemed there were a lot of blanks for a long time! Holly was going to be our Coordinator and when she filled out the charter she realised that a Mother of Preschoolers should really fill that role…. So she called me! Very graciously, Holly took a side step into a Mentoring role (very appropriate really).

God was moving in our midst, we had been blessed with an inspired team of 15 Mops Leaders and 9 Moppets Leaders, each one having a testimony about how God had lead them to this ministry!

I suspect that God has big plans for our group. I still feel very inadequate sometimes but I do trust God and I want to serve him and to reach out to Mums who are hurting, to support them. I want to encourage, you know, to build up… to make a difference in people’s lives, especially my children’s!

I know I’m not alone… In Romans 8:28 it says “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” He planned for my girls, my twins, my battle with PND. He planned for MOPS - at this time - in our church! The door has literally been flung open!

What happens at a MOPS meeting?

When a mum enters a MOPS meeting, she is greeted by a friendly face and escorted to MOPPETS, where her children enjoy their special part of the MOPS program. In MOPPETS, children from infancy through to school age experience a caring environment while they learn, sing, play and make crafts.

Once her children are settled, the MOPS mum joins a program tailor-made to meet her needs. She can grab something to eat and not have to share it! She can finish a sentence and not have to speak in words of two syllables!

The program typically begins with a brief lesson taught by an older mum who's been through the challenging years of mothering and who can share from her experience and from the truths taught in the Bible. Then the women move into small discussion groups where there are no "wrong answers" and each mum is free to share her joys and struggles with other mums who truly understand her feelings. In these moments, long-lasting friendships are often made on the common ground of finally being understood.

From here, the women participate in a craft or other creative activity. For mums who are often frustrated by the impossibility of completing anything in their unpredictable days, this activity is deeply satisfying. It provides a sense of accomplishment and growth for many mums.

Because mums of preschoolers themselves lead MOPS, the program also offers women a chance to develop their leadership skills and other talents. It takes organisation, creativity, and management skills to run a MOPS program successfully.

By the time they finish the MOPS meeting and pick up their children, the mums feel refreshed and better able to mother. MOPS helps them recognise that mums have needs too! And when they take the time to meet those needs, they find they are more effective in meeting the needs of their families.

Meeting the needs of Mothers of Preschoolers

The MOPS program is dedicated to meeting the needs of mothers of preschoolers. These needs have been identified by Elisa Morgan and Carol Kuykendall in their book, What Every Mum Needs:


The need for Identity: Sometimes I'm not sure who I am

The need for Growth: Sometimes I long to develop who I am

The need for Relationship: Sometimes I long to be understood

The need for Help: Sometimes I need to share the load

The need for Perspective: Sometimes I lose my focus

The need for Hope: Sometimes I wonder if there's more to life


Here's How Some Mums Describe MOPS

"MOPS means that I am able to share the joys and frustrations and insecurities of being a mum. Our meetings provide the opportunity to hear someone else say, "I was up all night," or "They're driving me crazy!"

MOPS mum, Perth

"As a single mum, this is the first group I've felt accepted in for who I am."

MOPS mum, Canberra

'On my first day at MOPS, I knew my life had changed forever! The women made me feel so relaxed. I had a peace I hadn't felt for a long time. They were so caring, pleasant, helpful…the list goes on! I just want to say, "Thank you MOPS!" If it weren't for MOPS, I wouldn't be where I am today.'

MOPS mum, Melbourne

'When I first started MOPS, I was very, very lonely. MOPS gave me a chance to get out of the house which I was grateful for. The talks were very informative. I found out a lot through these talks. My problems seemed to become smaller. When I first started at MOPS, I thought I was a Christian. I wasn't. Through MOPS I can now say, 'I am a Christian.' MOPS to me is not only Mothers of Pre Schoolers, but My Own Private Salvation!'

MOPS mum, Canberra