Willingness to Serve: MOPS Steering Team, September ’08-May’09

The MOPS Steering Team is the organizing and decision-making body of the First Church MOPS group.  It is composed of MOPS women, each of whom possess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and can abide by the MOPS Faith Position Statement (see below).

We are looking to fill the following leadership positions as we begin planning this summer for the fall and would encourage each of you to consider lending your time and talent to our team.

Hospitality Team Leader or Co-Leaders
(Two moms sharing this position would be ideal)
Plans and organizes breakfast at each MOPS meeting, delegating responsibilities to steering team members and MOPS moms as needed. Focuses on the needs of women and arranges the atmosphere of MOPS. Reaches out to moms beyond MOPS, organizing help for families in need. Keeps track of the hospitality team budget.
Attends monthly steering team meetings and MOPS meetings and assists with set-up the evening before MOPS meetings.

Creative Activities Leader
Responsible for planning crafts or arranging for guest demonstrators to visit MOPS to share various life skills (cooking, photography, etc.). Organizes materials, instructions, demonstrations and samples of each creative activity before the MOPS meeting.  Arranges for set-up and take-down of craft area and supplies and keeps track of the creative activities budget.
Attends monthly steering team meetings and MOPS meetings and assists with set-up the evening before MOPS meetings.

Table Leader
Attends MOPS meetings, but does not need to attend steering team meetings or assist with meeting set-up.
Helps facilitate the discussion of the women at her table each meeting. Attempts to develop relationships with the women at her table and lets the steering team know of any special needs such as illnesses, pregnancies, losses, etc.. Outside of the MOPS meetings she may email/phone her table members between meetings to distribute necessary information and updates, plan playdates, or check in with the women at her table.

Thank you for your consideration. Please contact Becky Dykhuis with any questions or to learn more. becky@dykhuis.com or 531-1343

MOPS Faith Position 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.

May 9 Meeting Announcements and Follow-Up

Thanks to Pastor Wolf for his inspiring message today regarding sharing faith. To learn more about his book, Giving Faith Another Chance, or his recent trip to Africa, visit his web site or blog at the addresses below.

www.christopherbwolf.com
christopherbwolf.wordpress.com

Our next, and final, MOPS meeting of the semester is Friday, May 23. At this meeting we will be making a fun, spring craft and enjoying a mentor moment from Suzanne Cole. If you are planning to attend and you need to bring your school-age children because they don’t have school, please do so—we will provide an activity for your older children during the meeting

In addition, we had such a positive response regarding the BeadforLife jewelry party we hosted today, that we will have the leftover necklaces and bracelets at our May 23 meeting for you to purchase in case you missed out, so remember to bring your checkbook, or some cash.

Thank you to all our MOPS moms for your generous donations at each meeting. We appreciate your support as it helps us stay on budget and enables us to provide quality speakers, delicious food, and crafts & snack for your children each meeting!

We plan on staying in touch over the summer and registration materials for the fall will be mailed out in August. MOPS meetings will run from September 2008-May 2009. Be sure to visit this blog over the summer for a schedule of playdates and information on our upcoming MOPS year.

Next year’s theme:

Happy Mother’s Day!

Click on the link below and get ready to smile.

Clip from Bluefish TV.com

April 25 Meeting Announcements & Follow Up

Many thanks to today’s fabulous speaker & one of our fellow MOPS moms, Jen Wolf. Jen helped us examine and discover where our parenting strengths lie and reminded us how important it is that we take care of ourselves to keep our parenting “well” full. Be sure to check out Jen’s blog at faithinparenting.com, as well as her Screen Time Matters site for advice on limiting kids tv, video & computer time

Our next Ladies Night Out is next Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Panera Bread located at the corner of 44th & Kenowa Ave. in Grandville. Join us for dinner and conversation with your fellow MOPS moms. Even if you were not able to sign up ahead of time, you are welcome to come and join us!

Our next MOPS meeting is Friday, May 9. At this meeting First Church Pastor Christopher Wolf will be sharing about his recent trip to Africa and MOPS moms will have the opportunity to participate in a unique event—a BeadforLife BeadParty. At the meeting we will feature beautiful beaded jewelry made of recycled paper by refugees from Northern Uganda’s brutal war and HIV+ mothers. You will have a chance to buy the jewelry, listen to music from Uganda, and watch a short DVD about BeadforLife. This is a great way to have fun and do something to improve the world. To learn more about BeadforLife, visit www.beadforlife.org

In honor of Mother’s Day, First Church is collecting items for the “Baby Pantry” at South Grandville Christian Reformed Church. You are invited to participate by bring baby items to donate to our May 9 meeting. Some suggestions are: diapers, wipes, bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, baby shampoo & lotion, and new or gently used toys, clothes, or books.

“MOPPORTUNITY”
We need 2 moms willing to watch the children of the steering team in the church nursery during our planning meeting on Wednesday, May 14, from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Your children are welcome, so think of it as a playdate with an additional purpose. Let Becky Dykhuis (531-1343) know asap if you’re available to help.

Please note: If you are planning to attend our Friday, May 23 meeting and you need to bring your school age children because they don’t have school, please sign up at the food table at our next meeting. We will provide an activity for your older children during the May 23 meeting, but would like to know how many to plan for.

Thank you to all our MOPS moms for your generous donations at each meeting. We appreciate your support as it helps us stay on budget and enables us to provide quality speakers, delicious food, and crafts & snack for your children each meeting!