Welcome to MOPS and MOMSnext!!!

Hello, mama!

Welcome to MOPS and MOMSnext! We are so excited about our upcoming year, and we are so glad you’re joining us. Motherhood is beautiful, messy, and just plain hard! Sometimes you need a safe space to sit and breathe and connect with other women who not only understand but are living through the same season of life. Whether you are a new member or are returning for your 3^rd year, we want MOPS and MOMSnext to be YOUR place to share your worries and fears, joys and triumphs, failures and messy moments.

Here’s a little bit about our group. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 9:30-11:30am, starting in September and finishing in May. We have a wonderful group of paid workers and volunteers who watch our children while we meet. There are classrooms for each age group, and they have a great time while we get to talk child-free! We eat breakfast, hang out, have a live guest speakers or well known speakers on video and do a craft here and there. Regardless of our meeting activity, we always have lots of fun!

MOPS International chooses a theme each year, and we try to focus our meetings on that topic. Our theme this year is “Find Your Fire”. We will live expectantly, surrender daringly, and breathe freely. This simply means we will choose to think about what could go right; remember to let things go; and let ourselves be loved. This theme speaks so much to my heart, and I’m praying that it will also speak to yours!

You all have paid your MOPS International Fee of $31.95 for this year. Once they receive your registration, you’ll receive a membership kit in the mail filled with lots of fun surprises.  The Crossroads MOPS/ MOMSnext dues of $90- split into two payments of $45 per semester will be collected at our first meeting. I know this is a lot of money, so let me clarify what exactly our membership dues cover. We use this money to pay for our MOPS Kids childcare workers, kids craft and snacks, our craft supplies for 5 crafts throughout the year, hospitality expenses and decorations, other fun activities throughout the year as well as leadership team trainings . If money is an issue, please let me know, and we’ll get you an application for a scholarship. We don’t want any mom to miss out on MOPS/ MOMSnext because of the cost.

Each MOPS year is unique and special in its own way, but I wanted to share a few highlights from last year, just to give you an idea of the type of things we enjoyed together. According to our end of year survey, our favorite meetings were: a Couples panel, where we had 3 great couples share the joys and struggles in marriages; a Apple Pie making meeting where we all received instructions to make a wonderful crust like a professional; and an inspiring speaker Rhonda Stoppe speaking on building a no regrets marriage. Each meeting was truly a blast, and we’re so excited to have you join us this year!

I want to give you some insider information on what the first meeting (September 12) will look like. Our meeting begins at 9:30am, but you can begin dropping kiddos off at 9:20 am. Please know that this first meeting has all the potential to be messy and a little chaotic. We’ll have lots of little people, lots of mamas, and lots of newness. The ladies wearing MOPS Logo shirts with the “this is motherhood” on them are your leadership team members. Stop one of us if you have ANY questions. They’ll also be able to point you in the direction of our MOPS Kids classrooms- if you requested MOPS Kids childcare at registration. We love to encourage mamas to put our wonderful volunteers to use so that the meeting can be a place where moms can rest and be refreshed. We absolutely understand that your kids may need mommy but encourage you to let our very capable volunteers entertain your kids while you come to the meeting. Don’t worry; the workers will come get you if they need you. We promise! Please make sure you kids are healthy—no fevers, vomiting, cough, runny noses etc. in the last 24 hours. Once you’ve dropped the little ones off, head upstairs to room 208 of the church – we’ll help you find your way. You’ll be able to find your table color, meet your table leader and Mentor Mom, and mingle with other moms. We’ll have breakfast and coffee and lots of new friends. Come as comfy as you please; we will be wearing everything from yoga pants to dresses to jeans. You’ll fit right in.

Please let me know if you have ANY questions! I’m just an email (mopsmanteca@gmail.com), or Facebook message away!

Find our group on Facebook (MOPS @ Crossroads in Manteca and/or MOMSnext @ Crossroads in Manteca) and request to be added.

I can’t wait to meet you!

NO MOM ALONE

Your friend,

Melanie Costa

MOPS Coordinator