MOPS, MOMSnext meet at Cary's First United Methodist

First United Methodist Church of Cary offers two MOPS groups, along with a new group for moms of school-aged children.

Posted 1:23 a.m. Aug 30, 2010 — Updated 1:23 a.m. Aug 30, 2010

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

The region's MOPS groups are gearing up for a new year in September. MOPS is a Christian-based group for moms of babies to preschoolers. They meet for fellowship, friendship and discussion while their children are cared for in a preschool-like setting.

I've featured a couple of local MOPS groups this summer - Crossroads Fellowship in Raleigh and North Wake Church in Wake Forest, which also offers a program for teen moms.

Today, it's the programs at First United Methodist Church of Cary. First United Methodist actually has three groups that are all part of the MOPS International program - two MOPS groups which meet on alternating Friday mornings and MOMSnext, a new group geared toward moms of school-aged kids.

Like other MOPS groups, FUMC's programs meet for discussion, crafts, breakfast and other activities. The second MOPS group started about seven years ago when moms on the church's waiting list decided to start their own group instead of waiting for spaces to open up in the first one, member Sarah Smith tells me. There's still time to get involved in MOPS at FUMC. Visit the website for more information.

MOMSnext is a new group for MOPS International and FUMC. Started last year, the group in Cary is the first chartered MOMSnext program in North Carolina. The idea, member Lauren Schafer tells me, is to support moms of school-aged kids as they go through this next stage of parenting.

The group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month from October to May. And child care is available if needed. An open house is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sept. 15 if you want to learn more. Or check FUMC's website for contact information.

And it's worth noting that both MOPS and MOMSnext benefit from the church's popular consignment sale. MOPS group members have raised money for the group by signing up as a single consignor (which I think is a great idea for other groups and nonprofits). And some proceeds from the sale, which go to local charities, have gone to the group. The sale opens at 8 a.m. Sept. 25. Go to the sale's website for more details, including how you can shop early.

Watch the video for more from Sarah and Lauren on the church's MOPS and MOMSnext groups. To find a MOPS group near you, check MOPS International's website.

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