Women supporting women is the heart of a ministry that has been offered at Crossway Church for nearly 15 years.

Twice a month during the school year, expectant mothers through mothers of kindergarten-aged children, have been coming together as part of the international organization, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). This fall, the church is expanding their outreach program, Preschool Director at Crossway Church Angela Marshall said.

“We are adding a group that meets in the evenings for working moms or for those who are unable to attend the morning meetings,” Marshall said. “The evening group will also include MOMSNext, which is for mothers of school-aged children.”

MOPS was founded in 1973 by eight women in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. During this gathering, they exchanged craft ideas and engaged in a devotional.

They also shared the cost of the childcare expenses while they met.

The women then decided to reach out to other mothers like themselves, and now MOPS meet across the United States and around the world.

The local chapter of MOPS has more than 50 women who participate representing many areas of the community and different churches.

And because Vicksburg is a unique town with its many government facilities that bring in transplants, Marshall said since most who attend did not grow up here, the local organization also acts as a family to these women.

MOPS meetings have included a self-defense demonstration and local law enforcement giving a talk on car seat safety.

“We also have several service projects every year,” Marshall said. “We have held baby showers for the Center for Pregnancy Choices, put together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, made ‘Night Night blankets’ for the local Children’s Shelter (a stuffed animal and book, tied up in a homemade fleece blanket), and done yard work and housework for senior adults in our community.”

Marshall said the group also offers play dates, mom’s night outs and family outings.

“For the fall, we have scheduled a pudding painting party, MOPS Swap and Shop (a white elephant sale and an opportunity for moms with home businesses to sell their products), a freezer meal prep night, a ‘Polar Express’ movie night and a game night/cookie swap,” Marshall said.

There will also be a Parent’s Night In, where the group will provide childcare and a meal at the church for parents to enjoy a low-cost date night.

MOPS meet at 9:30 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of the month and at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the church, 1825 US 61.

The evening group also includes MOMSNext.

For more information, call 601-218-6469, email angela@visitcrossway.org or visit facebook.com/vicksburgmops/.