First Baptist Church is pleased to sponsor a Mothers of Preschoolers group.  The  Purpose Statement of MOPS International states: 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. We at First Baptist are excited to make a difference in the lives of Moms and in so doing make a difference in the lives of families.

What is MOPS?

MOPS stands for Mothers Of Preschoolers, an international program that is a positive & caring network designed to nurture mothers with children from conception through kindergarten. MOPS recognizes that these years are foundational & are filled with unique experiences and needs.

MOPS provides a welcoming & supportive place where moms and their children can make new friends, share experiences, laugh together, & learn trusted principles about womanhood, faith, marriage, & parenting. MOPS also offers the opportunities for outside activities geared towards mothers & preschool aged children.

MOPS groups meet in churches throughout the U.S., Canada, & nineteen other countries. The women are of many ages, faiths, & backgrounds; & come together -

Is MOPS for you?

If you are a Mom who...

* is pregnant or has a child aged newborn through kindergarten...
* loves making new friends over food, fellowship, and fun activities...
* wants to share the joys & challenges of motherhood...
* has frazzled nerves screaming for some “mommy” time, but also want your children to have a great experience...

 ...then YES, MOPS is definitely for you! 

What happens at a MOPS meeting?

Our meetings run 9am to 11am and after child drop off, start with coffee, announcements, and more importantly, FOOD! Next we usually have a speaker whose topics range from informational, inspirational, to the entertaining! A roundtable discussion usually follows, and then it’s on to a fun creative activity.

The theme for the 2008-2009 year is Adventures in Mothering and we will be discovering together more about ourselves as we go through the adventure of motherhood. We will celebrate and embrace the fun in the experiences, even in the midst of daily mom life that stretches us emotionally and spiritually.

The metaphor for Adventures in Mothering is an amusement park. With the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the amusement park, motherhood might feel like a sensory overload. But our MOPS group will enjoy this together and learn more about ourselves as women, moms and leaders. 

Where do we meet?

First Baptist Church MOPS meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month, September thru May, 9 am to 11 am. We are located in the gym of the First Baptist Church of Richland on 1107 Wright St., Richland WA. See a map to our location.

What does it cost?

You are welcome to try your first meeting for FREE to see if our MOPS group is the right place for you! There is a $20 membership fee to MOPS International, which entitles you to a year subscription to MOMSense Magazine and other fun goodies. We also ask for $5 per meeting to help cover some meeting, craft, and childcare costs. We do have scholarships available and will not turn away any mother on the basis of financial need.

Where are my children? 

While you are enjoying our great MOPS program, your children (MOPPETS), will be lovingly cared for by our team of childcare workers. Separate rooms are provided to accommodate different age groups. Children are given the time to interact with each other and express themselves through play, music, crafts, and through learning a classroom lesson focusing on biblical principles and values. You are welcome to keep your infant, up to 6 months old, with you during the meeting if you like and you will be notified promptly if your older child has any difficulties in the MOPPETS classes.