November 2015

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving, 
MOPS Leaders!

Thank you all...
for serving the moms & kiddos that attend your MOPS/MOMSnext groups;
for cooking/baking, decorating, posting (FB), or greeting so moms feel welcome;
for giving time from your lives to invest in other moms...like you;
for sincerely loving motherhood while sincerely admitting the tough stuff; &
for working together as teams in an attitude of unity & gratitude.
You are making a difference in families, your church, and in your community!

<3, 

Nydia

COMMUNITY 24F News & Updates:

• THANKSGIVING!!: Since this is still Thanksgiving weekend and many of us have a pause on our commitments, I'd love to take a moment to stop and "Notice the Goodness" in our MOPS groups thus far... Please take a minute to post one (or more) good things that the Lord has done in your group, with your moms, or at your church, through your MOPS/MOMSnext ministry.  (use the COMMENT box attached to this post).

• MOMSnext: Just a quick reminder...we have two MOMSnext groups in our Community (see the list on the left)!  If you do not know much about MOMSnext, it is the branch of the ministry of MOPS that extends support to moms with school-age children.  Due to increased commitments of moms at this stage, these groups meet in varied settings - morning, lunchtime, or evening - but cover issues that we deal with as moms of older children like internet safety, navigating through adolescence, and peri/menopause...to name a few.  If you know a mom at this stage of life who needs support, see if one our Jersey shore groups are available to her!  If you're getting ready to graduate from your MOPS group, consider starting a MOMSnext group at your church!  We, moms, always need encouragement and support through every stage of motherhood :-).

• Coach - Coordinator Connect Call: Let's get together and chat MOPS/MOMSnext from the comfort of our homes!  Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, pick-up your phone, and dial-in... SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, January 21st, 2016 @ 8:00 - 9:00 pm / TOPIC: "Keep the Momentum Going to the End" / Conference # and code to follow via email.

MOPS International News & Updates:

• DON'T FORGET to register your moms: Our $24.95 annual membership fee covers: our moms' weekly MOPS email, monthly Hello Dearest Magazine, "A Fierce Flourishing" handbook, plus other goodies for you and your children :-). NEW this year is a self-registration option for your moms that you can initiate from your home computer!  To access this, go to your dashboard, pull-down your moms' list, then have mops.org email a registration link to the mom(s) you choose.  She will be able to complete her registration from her phone during your MOPS meeting or from her computer at home.  Here are videos to help you through the process: http://www.mops.org/registermoms

• FREE Resources!!: Did you know about all the amazingly helpful and time-saving resources available to you in the Leaders' section of the MOPS website??  You'll find templates for newsletters, brochures, theme handbook for your moms; official "A Fierce Flourishing" graphics; devotionals for leaders; training videos and downloads for yourself & your team; a handbook for each position on your Leadership Team; and much, much more.  Click on the link above and explore the gems MOPS staff and other MOPS Leaders have made available to you in order to help you lead your group!

• Christmas at MOPS: Still need ideas for your December meeting?  MOPS has a special Christmas Edition of our Fun/Talk/Think/Do cards for you...find them here: http://www.mops.org/leader/christmas.  OR do you need gift ideas for your Leadership Team or your moms?  Here you go!: http://www.mops.org/merry-christmas-leader

• Partnership w/ a Global MOPS group: Perhaps you'd like to help launch a group through a missionary contact at your church.  Or maybe you'd like to set aside a percentage of the proceeds from your fundraising for global MOPS.  Or maybe you'd like to help with training and encouraging leaders of a global MOPS group.  Go to  http://www.mops.org/global-partner-ideas for more church partnership ideas!

• Don't do leadership alone!!: Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  Join the thousands of other MOPS mamas just like you working hard to reach every mom for Christ!  The following are Facebook pages specific to your leadership position.  Find your position, click, then jump in on the conversation:

1st Year Coordinators (managed by Group Care Specialists)

MOPS Leaders (managed by MOPS International)

Coordinators

Publicity

Fundraising

Creative Activities & Hospitality

Mentor Moms

Discussion Group Leaders

MOPPETS Leaders

Service Leaders

Prayer Requests:

• New babies: 4 of the Coordinators in our Community 24F have been blessed with new babies in the last 10 months!  Please pray for God to continue to help them lead their groups while managing the care of a growing family.

• New MOPS Groups:  It looks like we may have about 2 more new groups starting in our Area 24F this year - exciting!!  Every new MOPS group represents moms and families who are being reached with resources to support a woman through her motherhood journey, including a relationship with Christ.  If you know of another MOPS group near yours, please consider establishing a sister-like relationship to serve the moms in your community...even better!  For more information and ideas...please ask me :-).

August 2015

WELCOME
...to a new year of MOPS &
a new perspective for leadership!
      In this 2015-2016 year at MOPS, we want to see you...

     As I have been preparing for a new year of MOPS ministry and thinking about all of you leaders who encompass the area of New Jersey that Community 24F covers, I have gained a stronger perspective of us as a team: together, we are a team of women who have been given MOPS as a tool to reach and affect the different communities in our section of NJ (see the map in the sidebar on the right).  Our Community 24F leadership team may not meet together from month to month as your leadership teams do, but we live a quiet togetherness that is deeply aware of each others' presence and support in the shadows of sharing the common passion for serving moms through MOPS.  This blog is our regular meeting table...this is where we can stay connected through reading as well as sharing comments & ideas.  Here and there we'll have the opportunity to sit at a more tangible table via a conference call or leadership event.  
    Together, but separately, we will take our opportunity to serve moms and aim to reach our group's full potential.  Because the Lord has a unique purpose for each of our groups, as we keep our focus on Him and look for the goodness around us as we serve, we will see the beautiful mosaic He is in the midst of creating.  Then, in our together moments around this "table" or at an event, we will celebrate the goodness we have seen through our part in the ministry of MOPS!  

Stay connected via this blog and our Area 24 FB page!

<3, 

Nydia

COMMUNITY 24F News & Updates:

• NEW Groups ~ Welcome!!: We have several new groups in our Community!  Please welcome...Beacon MOPS in Galloway (Jenny, Coordinator); MOPS of Monmouth Worship Center in Marlboro; and MOPS of Jackson Baptist in Jackson (Erin, Coordinator).  Last year was the first year for their group, and they have now transitioned from the care of a Group Care Specialist (GCS) to that of an official MOPS Community and a Coach.  Also, in their first year as a group (unofficially a part of 24F) and under the care of a GCS are...Mission Point MOPS in Sommer's Point (Misty, Coordinator); MOPS of Hammington (Rachel, Coordinator); MOPS of Bayside in Manahawkin (Stephanie, Coordinator); MOMSnext of MBC in Manahawkin (Sherry, Coordinator); MOPS of St. Mary's in Middletoen (Jess & Jess, Co-Coordinators); MOPS of Park Church in Tinton Falls; and MOPS of Trenton (Andrea, Coordinator). We know God has amazing things in store for all you and your MOPS groups :-).  **We'd love to hear  about your favorite moment at MOPS last year or your favorite moment in preparing to start this first year via the comment box below!**
  

• NEW Coordinators ~ Welcome!!: Please also welcome the new Coordinators that are leading groups in our MOPS Community...Karin @ MOPS of Tower Hill in Red Bank and Megan @ Lacy MOPS in Lanoka Harbor.  I am looking forward to keeping in touch with you both, and "watching" the Lord use you in your MOPS group.  **I'd love to hear about how you hope to see your MOPS group grow and flourish fiercely via the comment box below!**

• Coach - Coordinator Connect Call: Let's get together and chat MOPS from the comfort of your own home!  Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, grab a paper for note-taking, pick-up your phone, and call-in... SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, September 10th @ 7:30 - 8:30 pm / TOPIC: "Strengthening My Leadership Team & Growing My MOPS Group" / Conference # and code to follow via email.

MOPS International News & Updates:

• Fierce Flourishing Design Contest: Want to be part of this year's theme design contest?  Share your flourish!  Entries must use the Fierce Flourishing design elements found on www.mops.org/theme-graphics to create meeting calendars, invite cards, and anything you might need to run your group.  Submit your ideas by posting to the Idea Center at www.mops.org/theme-graphics by August 31, 2015.  Three winners will receive $50 gift cards!

• JOIN US for a "Fierce Prayer": We want this year to unfold into radical expressions of each mom's fierce flourishing.  This doesn't just happen - it requires time, passion, and commitment.  And we believe that every fierce year begins with a fierce prayer.  Join us through the end of August as we pray for moms, leaders, and churches.  Follow via MOPS Area 24 Facebook page or MOPS Leaders' Twitter.

• MOMcon 2015: Registration for MOMcon is SOLD OUT!! We are getting ready for another amazing-happens-here weekend, this year in Indianapolis, IN with speakers like: Jen Hatmaker, Margaret Fienberg, & Bob Goff; and music from Matthew West, Matt Maher, and JJ Heller.  For a glimpse of what the weekend will be like, take a peek at some of our video footage from MOMcon 2014 (http://www.mops.org/momcon2014-videos). Now is a good time to start tart thinking about MOMcon 2016...stay tuned for the date in the next blog update!

• DON'T FORGET to register your moms:  Just in case you haven't taken care of this already...it's time to register your moms for their annual MOPS membership.  $24.95 covers a mom's weekly MOPS email, monthly Hello Dearest Magazine, "A Fierce Flourishing" handbook, plus other goodies for you and your children :-).  Don't forget, your group will earn one free registration for every 20 completed registrations.  Also, NEW this year is a self-registration option that you (as a leader) can initiate from your home computer!  Try it: go to your dashboard, pull-down your moms' list, then have mops.org email a registration link to the mom(s) you choose.  She will be able to complete her registration from her phone during your MOPS meeting or from her computer at home.

• FREE Resources!!: Did you know about all the amazingly helpful and time-saving resources available to you in the Leaders' section of the MOPS website??  You'll find templates for newsletters, brochures, theme handbook for your moms; official "A Fierce Flourishing" graphics; devotionals for leaders; training videos and downloads for yourself & your team; a handbook for each position on your Leadership Team; and much, much more.  Click on the link above and explore the gems MOPS staff and other MOPS Leaders have made available to you in order to help you lead your group!

Prayer Requests:

• MOMcon: We have over 3,000 leaders flying or driving into Indianapolis in a few short weeks for training and encouragement at MOMcon...plus fabulous worship, resources, and fellowship.  Please pray for safe travels for all and open hearts to receive all that God has in store for them.
• New babies: 4 of the Coordinators in our Community 24F have been blessed with new babies in the last several months.  Please pray for God to continue to help them lead their groups while managing the care of a growing family.

NEW Theme for 2015-2016: A Fierce Flourishing!!

Here it is MOPS Leaders!!!

March 2015

For YOU...a LEADER's Moment:

GROWTH!!!

      As women, the word "growth" can bring to mind our changed waistlines...especially after delivering a new baby!  As moms, "growth" reminds us of our children that seemingly change before our eyes.  As MOPS leaders, "growth" is a concept that either we are seeing unfold, or one that we are working towards and praying will occur in our MOPS groups.  Whichever of these comes to mind, growth is a positive thing...something that we are encouraged to pursue as a lifelong goal!
     As your MOPS Ministry Coach, I get the privilege of watching your leadership teams and MOPS groups grow.  Ladies, this, to me is like a personal & up-close view into God's handiwork in our Community!  Specifically, in the last three months, three of our groups have felt growing pains that have led to the start of another MOPS group at a second near-by local church.  In each of these splits, current Leadership Teams are working together with new Leadership Teams to help each other stay successful.  This is amazing!!  
     The MOPS vision for support & outreach is that every church can charter a MOPS group.  Every church has the potential for reaching different moms.  So, if you are a leader of a group who is working towards and praying for growth, be encouraged!  MOPS* has resources to help, including this Coach who is passionate about serving you and helping you reach your potential :-).

*See below for details for April's local Leadership Training Event, 

"Extend Your Reach"!

Also, if you know of a pastor or mom who is interested in chartering a new MOPS group, please email me.  MOPS International is running a fantastic special this month (see left).  

Tell them not to miss out on this great deal!!

COMMUNITY News & Updates:

• Local Leadership Training Event..."Extend Your Reach"!: Let your Leadership Team know & DO NOT MISS OUT...MOPS Leaders, you are in a unique position to reach moms who can change their world.  But how can you accomplish this?  We can help!  Extend Your Reach (http://www.mops.org/extend-your-reach) is about discovering new things about life & leadership, strengthening our foundation, discussing how to be graciously persistent in relationships, and focusing on new ways to create a group that allows moms to do all these same things for themselves.  We are working hard to put together a fantastic time of worship, teaching, brainstorming for next year's theme, and networking...all for YOU!! Join other NJ MOPS Leaders at Grace, the Church on the Mount, 1500 Route 46, Netcong, NJ, on Saturday, April 25th, 2015 at 9:00 am to 2:30 pm. Eventbrite invitation to follow... 

MOPS International News & Updates:

• MOMcon 2015!!: Registration for MOMcon is now OPEN!! We are getting ready for another amazing-happens-here weekend, this year in Indianapolis, IN!  You will be encouraged by speakers like: Jen Hatmaker, Margaret Fienberg, & Bob Goff; and music from Matthew West, Matt Maher, and JJ Heller.  If you haven't already, start planning & saving today for your "mom's business trip" ;-), then be sure to register here: (http://www.mops.org/momcon-2015).  For a glimpse of what to expect, take a peek at some of our video footage from MOMcon 2014 (http://www.mops.org/momcon2014-videos). Spread the word to your Leadership Team and your MOPS moms...I'll see you in Indianapolis!

• Brave Leader Labs:  Looking for insight on common issues in leadership?  Join us at http://www.mops.org/brave-leader-lab for a Brave Leader Lab.  You can watch past interactive recordings of sessions with MOPS staff & leaders.  For future scheduled Labs that you can take part in, please check our Area 24 Facebook page (see link at bottom of this blog).  You will get a chance to listen, talk, think, and grow as we pull apart some leadership topics every one of us has probably had a question about.  Right now, you can acress the following sessions from your computer: (1) Grow Leaders; (2) Share Jesus - Part One; & (3) Share Jesus - Part Two.

• MOPS 2015-2016...new theme!!: We are just a few short weeks away from the unveiling of next year's MOPS theme!!  Attend Extend Your Reach Leadership Training on April 25th and you'll be among the first to find out...as well as brainstorm ideas for the following year.

• Charter RENEWAL starts on April 1st: Renewal time at MOPS is just around the corner!  If you renew between April 1st thru June 30th, the fee is reduced to $159.  After June 30th, the cost of renewal will be $199.  Your chartering ministry (CM) will pay only one fee per church. If your CM charters more than one group, there is only one fee.  Aside from a $40 savings, the benefit of renewing early is receiving your new Group Experience Kit as soon as it becomes available!

Prayer Requests:

• Pam, Area 24 Ministry Coach: Please continue to pray for Pam, a former member of our Area 24 MVS team.  She is continuing to undergo treatment for brain cancer & is doing well!  Please pray for God's hand of healing, as well as continued support & strength for Pam's husband and children.

January 2015

For YOU...a LEADER's Moment:

     I love starting out a new year!!  I enjoy packing up the old, neatly, and planning towards the new... The "neatness" of packing up the old signifies having done my best to live out the previous year well, (blunders and all), having learned new lessons from the past, and being willing to take them into the next chapter of my life.  "Planning" for the new signifies ideas and hopes for what is to come; looking to tomorrow with an eye on the sovereign Lord who loves me, passionately, and has good things planned for my future.
     This is how most of us walk into a new year at MOPS.  Yet, often it is tough to maintain our momentum through the long haul.  So, as we are almost halfway through the MOPS year, in an effort to help encourage you along, here are a couple simple things to keep in mind:

• Numbers - By our January meetings we've probably established a consistent average number of moms who attend our MOPS groups.  But, because we've also hit cold & flu season, that average may begin to waver.  That can feel discouraging.  So, whether it's winter meetings, the kick-off meeting, or the fun outing...we have found that it is important to be challenged to find new ways to reach and encourage more moms, yet keep a balance of remembering that this is God's thing...not ours.  That means that as we are faithful and willing to be used, He will take care of the numbers.  It is freeing to put our gifts & abilities to work while keeping an eye on what He is doing in the lives of the ladies around us!
• Hospitality - Some of us have been endowed with a big dose of creative genes, yet others of us...not.  Those who have make a great addition to a Hospitality Team because they seem to really know how to make our MOPS meeting rooms look inviting.  What a gift!  Yet, while an inviting ambiance is important (and truly a big factor in attracting me to the MOPS group I "grew-up" in), beautiful decorations must NOT make or break a MOPS morning!!  It is our welcoming and sincere hearts that will keep moms coming from meeting to meeting, and allowing us the privilege of encouraging her through her motherhood journey. 
• Teamwork - Because often stopping to wait for others can be be inconvenient because of time, this point can be easily overlooked.  However, the most important aspect of MOPS leadership to keep in mind is: the best way to do MOPS is as a team!  "Team" isn't only about getting through a to-do list as a group of leaders, but far more about remembering to fill-in each other's gaps and being quick to overlook each other's faults.  This means that when things go well, the Leadership Team gets the credit (not just the Coordinator); and if something goes wrong, we all find a way to get through it...together :-).

I'd love to hear a testimony about how you have seen either of these be true 
in your MOPS group!  
Use the comment box at the bottom of this blog post to share your short story...

COMMUNITY News & Updates:

• Coordinator COFFEE Break @ B&N ...YOU are invited: As we are approaching the halfway point of the MOPS year, how about a Coordinator (Coordinators, Co-Coordinators, Assistant Coordinators, or potential future leaders in these positions)-Coach coffee break at Barnes & Noble?!  Let's share, de-stress, and encourage one another!  I found a store that is within 20 minutes of some of you.  Join me at the B&N Cafe, 210 Commerce Boulevard, Fairless Hills, PA, on Thursday, January 29th, 2015 at 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Evite to follow... 

• Your (23N or 24F) MOPS Community:  Be sure to take a look at your MOPS Community's list at the bottom of this blog page!  Knowing who is in our communities makes us aware of each other, and therefore more accessible, too.  You will also see a link to your Community's Facebook page at the bottom of each list.  Join TODAY!!  Facebook is a fantastic way to stay abreast of announcements from your Area Coach team, as well as receive and give ideas and prayer requests from fellow MOPS Leaders in your designated areas.  Stay connected!!

• NEW!!  Service Call & Ideas...Why not buddy-up?!: Looking for service ideas?  How about teaming-up with another MOPS group in your Community?  Emily @ Lincroft MOPS told me last month that she and Natasha @ Crossroads MOPS talked about doing this.  Great idea, ladies!!  I put out a Facebook post on Area 24's FB page to ask for service ideas from past experiences.  We received great suggestions including: "Dress for Success" clothing drive, bag lunches to a local shelter, goodie bags for moms at a local children's hospital or facility, & donation drive for a pregnancy clinic.

• "HELP! I don't know where to begin!!"...Is this you??: Struggling with finding a focus in your role as a mom?  Do you feel like there is so much to do and are having a hard time figuring out how to do to do it all well?  It could be that you are struggling with narrowing down your God-given purpose!  If your group is interested in this talk: "Motherhood with Purpose", including getting started with your DYO mission statement, let me know!

MOPS International News & Updates:

• 2014-2015 MOPS Registration: Don't forget to register your moms!! Registration is the vehicle MOPS International uses to step-in and help you encourage and equip your moms for their motherhood journeys!  It also helps us keep track of who we are serving in order to better provide relevant resources to all MOPS moms.  So, if you have questions or need help with the registration process, please let me know... 

• MOPS on AmazonSmile: MOPS International is now registered with AmazonSmile!  AmazonSmile is a great program that lets anyone who shops on Amazon pick a charity in order to donate 0.5% from their purchase to that charity.  When first visiting AmazonSmile, customers are prompted to select a charitable organization from a long list of organizations.  This choice will be remembered for eligible purchases every time you shop at Amazon.  Easy-peasy!! 

• ON-going Leadership Training Opportunities: Please make sure to check the left tab of this full blog for live training events, webinars from MOPS International, etc. throughout the year.  These are excellent opportunities to grow your & your group's leadership potential!  Plus, in truth, none of us know where God will choose to use our leadership experience in, or after, MOPS ;-).

Prayer Requests:

• PREGNANCIES: Toms River MOPS' Coordinator and their Assistant Coordinator are both due to deliver new additions to their family within the same week!!  Please pray for a safe (and quick) labor & delivery, as well as a smooth transition into mom-of-one-more.  Finally, please pray for their MOPS group & Leadership Team...that they will work together well to fill-in gaps that will open as these ladies need to focus on a growing family for the next few months.

• Pam, Area 24 Ministry Coach: Please continue to pray for Pam, a former member of our Area 24 MVS team.  She is continuing to undergo treatment for brain cancer & is doing well!  Please pray for God's hand of healing, as well as continued support & strength for Pam's husband and children.