MOPS, which stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, is a Wilshire ministry designed to offer stress relief, encouragement and spiritual nourishment to mothers of preschoolers. This is an international movement, and Wilshire is a charter member of MOPS International.

MOPS meets from 9:15 a.m. to noon every other Friday, from September to May. The cost is $70 per semester, which includes structured childcare for preschoolers while the moms enjoy time together. A reduced payment program is available for anyone who needs financial assistance.

MOPS meetings begin with socializing and eating. Then participants hear a guest speaker and later divide into small groups to discuss application of what was said. The meeting concludes with a craft time.

While the moms fellowship, the preschoolers participate in MOPPETS, a unique curriculum designed especially for them.

Each MOPS group is led by a Titus woman, a name taken from the biblical book of Titus, chapter 2, verses 4 and 5. The Titus woman provides encouragement from the perspective of a mom who has "been there."

Guest speakers often are moms themselves but sometimes are other professionals with helpful perspectives for mothers of young children. Past topics include discipline, marriage, financial planning, poison control, teaching kids values, home organization, home decorating, party planning, teaching through cooking.

For more information about MOPS, contact Abbey Adcox at abbeyadcox@sbcglobal.net.