Victory Tabernacle MOPS

The MOPS Story

Eight women. The number was small, but the need was great. The first MOPS meeting took place in February 1973 in Wheat Ridge, Colrado. 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. From the beginning, women in MOPS were not content to be spectators. Through MOPS, they found an opportunity to discover and cultivate their leadership gifts. As women moved around the country, they took the concept of MOPS with them, and new groups formed. Growth began as word spread in churches, conventions, and magazine articles that explained this unique new program. Inquiries and requests for information became more frequent, and a handbook was printed. Office space moved from a desk in a family room to a rented office. In 1981, MOPS established a Board of Directors and incorporated first as MOPS Outreach, and later as MOPS, Inc. As interest mushroomed, leadership training began. One hundred fifty women from five states gathered in 1982 for the first all-day MOPS leadership seminar. In 1988, MOPS expanded beyond US borders and was renamed MOPS International, Inc. to reflect the international impact of the ministry. As MOPS grew, so did the need for a chartering process, additional resource materials, and a paid staff. The Board hired Elisa Morgan as the first president of the organization in 1989. MOPS reached out to moms through the MOMSense newsletter (now MomSense magazine) beginning in 1993. The newsletter joined the existing MOMSense radio program to help MOPS nurture every mother of preschoolers, whether or not she attended a MOPS group.

VTMOPS
Volume 1, Issue 1 May 2011

Special points of interest:

The MOPS Story One MOPS Story Help Wanted!

Inside this issue:

The MOPS Story 1

One MOPS Story 2 Theme Help Wanted Just For Fun 2 3 4

Comments or questions can be emailed to vtmops@gmail.com, or referred to Lacy Reynolds or Vicky Barnhart

One MOPS Story

It was August 2008, I was just turning twenty-eight years old and had a 9 month old little boy. Nine months prior, I thought I knew a lot about a lot of things, and now well, now my world had changed. This bright-eyed boy had me spellbound. I found myself constantly questioning the choices I made as a mom, and often compared myself to other moms I saw. Notice, I said moms I saw You know the ones who have it all together with their three children at the grocery store, or the mom that could get her little soldiers to sit still for an hour during Sunday Morning worship service. I didnt necessarily know these women, or their family life, but often found myself comparing their children to my son. Thats about the time that I realized I needed to stop comparing myself to women I didnt know, and find a group of women that I could use as sort of a sounding board for mothering. Have you tried this? Would you do that? Does your child STILL do this? Thats when I discovered MOPS. I found a safe place to express what I was feeling and going through as a new mom and as a wife. These women prayed for me, supported me and never once did they make me feel like a bad mother (even when I knew I probably was)! MOPS became my safe haven, a place where I could be mentored, and in turn mentor others with Christ as the center. By Lacy Reynolds

MomSense Bold ~ Loving ~ Sensible

MomSense equips moms to embrace their mothering instincts and develop their own parenting style while navigating through the myriad of daily mom decisions. Most women wonder: occur, abruptly changing our paths. We must regroup and determine our next steps. Sometimes we follow the instructions of experts. Sometimes we follow the advice of trusted friends. Sometimes we decide our house rules work best for our family. Teaming together with other moms is a great strategy. Relying on a spouse or mentor can help us play more effectively. And, most of all, developing a strong God-Sense is essential for mothering. Growing as a mom through the analogy of game playing assures every mom gains confidence in her abilities as a mom. This years theme book, MomSense: A Common Sense Guide to Confident Mothering, delves further into the topic of finesse, one of the elements introduced in last years theme book. Finesse involves being the mom God intended you to be while intentionally loving your children and nurturing their growth. Topics addressed in the book include decision making, moms

How do I decide what to do when I really dont know what to do? Should I trust my intuition? With so much available information, how do I discern whats best? What are the most important family values?
Mom

intuition and working through specific parenting dilemmas (Mama Dramas). MomSense reminds moms that they are the best mom for their kids and that they can develop contentment and confidence in their roles. The spiritual foundation of the theme is from 2 Timothy 1:7. As you read the whole chapter, you see that Timothy had a strong mother and grandmother who nurtured his faith. Paul exhorts Timothy to use the gifts God has given him in a bold, loving and sensible way. We have chosen to use The Message paraphrase to use words that are accessible to moms who may not be familiar with the Bible, but we encourage leaders to study the passage in their preferred translation as well.

Developing a mothering strategy is someIntuition what like playing a + Common game and this years theme is approSense = priately game related. MomSense Have fun being a mom! Playing games involves being bold and taking risks, loving those in the game with us and being sensible while figuring out what works and what doesnt. Just as in real-life, sometimes in games, unexpected, chance events

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Victory Tabernacle MOPS

MOPS Steering Team

MOPS International asks that when establishing a new MOPS Charter, there be a group of leaders who are committed to seeing to every detail of their MOPS group from finances down to snacks for the MOPPETS (the children who make us MOPS). To start, the Victory Tabernacle MOPS Group has three volunteers who have commited to two years of service to our MOPS Charter. They are: Vicky Barnhart Co-Coordinator/Finance Lacy Reynolds Co-Coordinator/Publicity Tammy Palmer Mentor The chart displayed below shows what the full leadership team should look like, with not only areas for leading and growing relationships, but also Growing Your Group and Supporting Your Group. There are a few gaps in our current structure. MOPS of VT wants to know if you might be willing to help complete our team!

Help Wanted
Supporting Our Group

MOPPETS Coordinator The purpose of the MOPPETS coordinator is to establish a plan and a program for the children of the MOPS during the MOPS Meetings. This person must be willing to commit to the two monthly meetings (2nd and 4th Thursdays) as well as a monthly Steering Team Meeting. He or she will be responsible for enlisting and training the MOPPETS workers for each age group (0-2 yrs, 3 4 yrs, and elementary).

Supporting Our Group

Donations are being accepted for the following items MOPS will be a selfHospitality Hospitality will be responsible supporting ministry of Victory Tabernacle (meaning we will rely only on for overall look and welcomdonated items, and money raised ing theme for the MOPS meetthrough fund raisers. If you have any ings. This area will be sure to of the following and would like to dohave snacks and supplies for nate them, please see Lacy, Tammy or each MOPS Meeting, and Vicky!

There will be many areas that need extra support, such as MOPPETS, Finance and Publicity. If you feel that you would like to volunteer on a lighter basis, please see Lacy or Vicky.
Volume 1, Issue 1

work closely with the rest of the Steering Team to make sure the overall theme of the MOPS Group is carried throughout the meeting. The Hospitality Coordinator must attend all Steering Meetings, and if unable to attend the MOPS meetings each month has someone from their team see to the details.

Board Games (even if theyre missing pieces Scrabble, Life, Monopoly, Chutes & Ladders anything)! Plates, cups, napkins & utensils Craft Supplies Decorations (Silk flowers, table clothes, etc)

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Try to come up with as many baby animal names as you can think of, and give back to Lacy Reynolds before May 31st. The person with the most correct answers will win a MOPS tote bag. Answers can be emailed to vtmops@gmail.com or hand returned. In case of a tie, we will draw the winning name from a hat.

1. Bear _______________________ 18. Human____________________ 2. Butterfly____________________ 19. Kangaroo___________________ 3. Cat________________________ 20. Leopard____________________

4. Chicken_____________________ 21. Lion_______________________ 5. Cow________________________ 22. Monkey____________________ 6. Deer_______________________ 23. Moose_____________________

7. Dog________________________ 24.Pig________________________ 8. Dolphin_____________________ 25. Pigeon_____________________ 9. Duck_______________________ 26. Rabbit_____________________ 10. Eagle______________________ 27. Raccoon___________________ 11. Elephant___________________ 28. Seal_______________________ 12. Fish_______________________ 29. Sheep_____________________ 13. Fox_______________________ 30. Swan______________________ 14. Frog_______________________ 31. Tiger______________________ 15. Goat______________________ 32. Whale_____________________ 16. Goose_____________________ 33.Wolf_______________________ 17. Horse_____________________