>> About MOPS

About MOPS International
MOPS International exists to meet the needs of every mom - urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms - moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be!  MOPS recognizes that the years from infancy to kindergarten are foundational in a mother-child relationship and are filled with unique needs.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children.  MOPS also encourages and supports mom through resources such as books, the MOPS International website, the daily MOMSense Radio program, and the MOPStoMom Connection.

MOPS At Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Holy Cross MOPS is group of moms, all with preschool-aged children.  We are from many backgrounds.  Any mother of preschoolers may attend, regardless of background or church affiliation.

What do we do?
We meet to encourage one another in our jobs as moms!

Each time we meet, we either spend time working on a craft as a large group, or we have a speaker who addresses the needs of mothers like us, then, we get together in small groups to talk about the speaker's topic, motherhood, our joys and sorrows and to pray for and with each other. You'll be assigned to the same small group throughout the year so you can get to know them personally.

Where and when do we meet?
Our MOPS group meets the first and third Thursday of each month (September-May) at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Jenison, Michigan.  For directions to the church, click here. 
SNOW DAYS:  If Jenison Public Schools are closed for the day, MOPS will be cancelled also.

What does it cost to attend?
Meeting Cost: $6 per meeting covers the cost of creative activity or speaker and childcare.

Annual fee: $23.95 per mom and includes a subscription to the bi-monthly MomSense Magazine (Retail value $20), Theme Book (Retail value $12.99), weekly Mom-E-Mail and special online Membership benefits updated each month with mom and kid activities, contests, coupons, author discussions and FREE music downloads.  This fee is due when you register.

How do I sign up?
We'd love to meet you!  We do ask that you get in touch with us first, before coming.  We need to make sure your children will have a place in the MOPPETS classroom.  We are very careful to maintain worker-to-child ratios to ensure your child's safety.  If you would like to enroll for the fall, please download and fill out a registration form (PDF, 105K), and mail it back to us.  If you have questions about the form or the MOPS ministry, please contact Deb at dcheyne@holycrossjenison.org or by calling (616) 457-2420.

How are the children cared for?
Our MOPPETS program is a bible based curriculum from MOPS International which we use in all classrooms two years old and older.   While the moms are in their meeting, the children attend classrooms based on their age.  We use the same guidelines as the public school system (child is 5 by December 1 they may enroll in Kindergarten).  Classrooms are as follows:  Infants (newborn to 12 months); Toddler's (12 - 24 months); Two year olds; Three year olds; Four, Five & Six year old classes.

A typical day for the child is as follows: playtime, bible story, craft, prayer, snack, singing, playtime.  There are days reserved throughout the year for special guests or special movies.  We have had a fireman, a policeman, Paws for a Cause, a musician, and a storyteller, just to name a few.  If the children view a video it is a bible story.

The classrooms are staffed with one paid teacher, as well as volunteers.  MOPPETS is overseen by a MOPS leader and a team of MOPS moms.

What if I'm looking for Teen MOPS or another MOPS group in the area?
Please visit MOPS International where you can find a listing of MOPS group in the West Michigan area.

Deb Cheyne is the Director of Family Ministry at Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Deb coordinates the MOPS program which is open to all mothers from Holy Cross and the community with children infant thru 6 years of age.  If you have questions about the MOPS ministry, please contact Deb at dcheyne@holycrossjenison.org or by calling (616) 457-2420.