MINISTRY GROUP WILL HELP MOTHERS WITH PRESCHOOLERS FIND TIME TO RELAX

Laura Norman knows how difficult life can be for a mother of preschool-age children. She has two children, one almost 3 years old and the other 15 months old. A typical day is consumed with laundry, dirty dishes and messes.

So Norman is helping to organize a local chapter of MOPS, the Mothers of Preschoolers, to give mothers a chance to get some time away from the chaos and relax.

So far, the Cape Girardeau chapter has been meeting informally at 9:30 a.m. each Friday at Capaha Park's Tot Lot. Beginning in October, the group will hold its first official meeting.

MOPS is an international, interdenominational program designed to minister to mothers of all ages with preschool-age children. There are no restrictions based on church affiliation or age.

The group will meet from 9:30-11:15 a.m. Oct. 5 at Grace Bible Church, situated between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo.

The group has already sent out 55 letters to mothers and has registered 17 children and 12 mothers for the first meeting. With such a great response so far, the group is already considering expanding to night meetings for working mothers.

Norman said she feel like God has been preparing her for this ministry. She participated in a MOPS chapter in Bloomington, Ind., before moving to Cape Girar-deau.

She didn't know many other mothers when she began going to the meetings, but was quickly able to make friends and talk about issues of concern to new mothers.

"Having a preschool-age child is so isolating because your children require such a large amount of your time and attention," she said. "You feel like an island unto yourself."

A network of friends

But MOPS has helped her build a network of friends and find playmates for her children. "We make friendships and minister through lifestyle evangelism," Norman said. From the summertime gatherings at the park, more and more children have been coming and the mothers get a chance to socialize together.

MOPS meetings are almost like pampering the mothers, Norman said. "They need a chance to forget about diapers and laundry and just be served."

The October meeting will include a fellowship brunch, speaker and small group discussions. Each meeting also includes a craft, and enough time to complete it.

"You don't have to take it home and never get to finish it," Norman said, "because preschool moms are always starting something but never have enough time."

Smaller discussion groups will have an opportunity to meet before the large group meetings, once the chapter gets organized. And child care is provided for every meeting.

A curriculum of stories and activities, called MOPPETS, is used for the children while the adults are meeting.

Preregistration packets for MOPS are available by calling Norman at 334-5307 or Grace Bible Church at 334-3464.

WANT MORE?

*For more information on the Web, visit www.mops.org

*For preregistration packets, call Laura Norman at 334-5307 or Grace Bible Church at 334-3464.

The group is open to mothers and their children up to kindergarten age.