%PDF-1.7 1 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Outlines 2 0 R /Pages 3 0 R >> endobj 2 0 obj << /Type /Outlines /Count 0 >> endobj 3 0 obj << /Type /Pages /Kids [6 0 R 19 0 R ] /Count 2 /Resources << /ProcSet 4 0 R /Font << /F1 8 0 R /F2 9 0 R /F3 10 0 R /F4 11 0 R /F5 13 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 14 0 R /GS2 15 0 R /GS3 16 0 R /GS4 17 0 R >> >> /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] >> endobj 4 0 obj [/PDF /Text ] endobj 5 0 obj << /Producer (dompdf 3.1.0 + CPDF) /CreationDate (D:20250904101355+00'00') /ModDate (D:20250904101355+00'00') >> endobj 6 0 obj << /Type /Page /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] /Parent 3 0 R /Contents 7 0 R >> endobj 7 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 1733 >> stream xX+hWi8HQR.VL C J?5Hj45p*ݯ_7f&i=.D:ܔMTmӁ_߼~v֎>JQ5t0o~ji}ς$KWvWHָ˷eRAywT'dt>Wl}ӇEo],7TI6^ŏJ|cHVk5s]-.|fsZ"ZV2g8 q4?fTX!FN^-O5=[s1 C T- }oRc,McVj~AV Fԕp~I?.ftє*YBL%}Ptvʹw1۠+[۵ԦS f(eXXJo7NrlXH/R:-#b.O],\5*]yR850 ܟ}Xɵ3'<2QP>qѹ@/eLFIh\>ZPMJy3PhGB)K)> endobj 9 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F2 /BaseFont /Times-Bold /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 10 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F3 /BaseFont /Times-Roman /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 11 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F4 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Bold /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 12 0 obj [6 0 R /Fit] endobj 13 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F5 /BaseFont /Times-Roman /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 14 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /CA 1 >> endobj 15 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /ca 1 >> endobj 16 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /CA 0.3 >> endobj 17 0 obj << /Type /ExtGState /BM /Normal /ca 0.3 >> endobj 18 0 obj [6 0 R /Fit] endobj 19 0 obj << /Type /Page /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] /Parent 3 0 R /Contents 20 0 R >> endobj 20 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 1014 >> stream xmVM6W1rLnM6V&[[*z@Y@Dz}Vt1e[^6>' QӴ˖/EGiqcCJ( _Ke)=ubhX[zD^،Wɉ3MFِF'FZ5~7?/7024h,ؒJ􁕩xlP>Piif4PdOuGl7=!ܞ6\gm>G,Vi]>b-()S%5/}Tdi6w+-uӳjĂ\/ :@TjD5O:k{h6L&[AOr2uؾB =w z0EI q a{B08kG%;jD152LzB[ɅKoiO> 9vaT8'[T[X >Е6=Ak gW~ 8dYш endstream endobj xref 0 21 0000000000 65535 f 0000000009 00000 n 0000000074 00000 n 0000000120 00000 n 0000000390 00000 n 0000000419 00000 n 0000000568 00000 n 0000000671 00000 n 0000002477 00000 n 0000002584 00000 n 0000002692 00000 n 0000002802 00000 n 0000002915 00000 n 0000002944 00000 n 0000003054 00000 n 0000003111 00000 n 0000003168 00000 n 0000003227 00000 n 0000003286 00000 n 0000003315 00000 n 0000003420 00000 n trailer << /Size 21 /Root 1 0 R /Info 5 0 R /ID[<7c8e7f90bda63f7a4a8a6d0bb89be3a3><7c8e7f90bda63f7a4a8a6d0bb89be3a3>] >> startxref 4508 %%EOF Fairbanks Holds Outreach for Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers | Caring Magazine
Read Caring Magazine Volume 29

Vol. #29

Hope in Action

Read Issue

Latest Impact StoriesView All

Popular Topics

PopularView All

Fairbanks Holds Outreach for Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers

June 30, 1998
3 minute read
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Listen to this article

Womens Ministry

Motherhood comes without an instruction manual. Where does a mother go to learn how to become the best she can be? For mothers of preschoolers (MOPS) in Fairbanks, Alaska, they come to The Salvation Army.

Major Deborah Greene, Fairbanks corps officer, felt a strong desire to develop an outreach program to provide support for mothers of preschool age children after listening to a radio broadcast, “Mom Sense,” produced by MOPS, International, a non-denominational ministry to mothers of preschoolers. MOPS’ purpose is to nurture every mom, meeting her distinct needs to the glory of Jesus Christ. For several years the idea kept coming to mind.

In Fairbanks, a corps with several MOPS mothers, it seemed the time was right to begin this ministry. Greene approached one of her soldiers, Mary Lee Dexter with her idea at a corps barbecue in July 1997. Dexter agreed to help charter the group. Announcements were sent to the media and visits scheduled with families who were served at The Salvation Army’s Family Services office. Within a short time, Greene and Mary Lee Dexter were ready to begin the Fairbanks MOPS ministry.

For two hours, twice a month, mothers come together to experience adult conversation and have respite from the ever demanding role of motherhood. The meeting provides a time for learning about mothering, self-image, marriage enrichment and other relevant topics. Mothers may also participate in creative projects.

Each meeting has been a time of sharing, praying and support for everyone in attendance. One MOPS mom, Debbie Ruckle, shares “As a stay at home mom it can be discouraging. MOPS gives me validation as a mother. I come home from each meeting with the feeling I am doing a service to myself and my children by staying home. I may not be receiving a paycheck, but I am making a deposit into an account from which I will draw when my children are grown and on their own.”

The MOPS ministry also encourages mothers to assume leadership in the program, including publicity, record keeping, creative activity time and hostessing. While attending a MOPS anniversary celebration another mother, Sheila, learned about a teen MOPS program and is interested in developing this in Fairbanks.

Other corps members such as Home League Secretary Dorothy Fetterman have joined the program. In September 1998, Dorothy became the Titus woman. As such, she provides an example of Christian motherhood, offering wisdom and guidance to mothers newly beginning their journey into motherhood.

Moppets, the childcare program, is more than babysitting. Children are involved in age appropriate activities and teaching about Jesus. A shortage of leadership has been a concern. A letter sent to other churches in Fairbanks resulted in one volunteer who is interested in coordinating the Moppets program. The goal is to increase the present two classroom program to four classes with a teacher and assistant in each room.

In the winter, mothers brave the down to minus 40 degree temperatures, packing babies and diaper bags to attend MOPS. One brings her four children, one a newborn, to the meetings. Two military wives travel some distance from the base outside of Fairbanks to attend. One has expressed the desire to bring her family to the corps. Many do not have a church home and we are praying that they will come to The Salvation Army services.

Download this page as a PDF

You May Also Like