fortnight. As coordinator I cannot thank them enough foreverything they do.This year we were able tohonour our two Mentors,Euncie Clay and Muriel Grills,with the prestigious Hands OfMOPS awards, given fromMOPS Australia andpresented by MargaretSanders, director <strong>of</strong> MOPSAustralia. These two faithfuland committed women do anincredible amount <strong>of</strong> workeach MOPS and have doneso for many many years. They are a true inspiration andsupport to us all.tremendous carers, who volunteer their time to comeand look after the children with such love andtenderness. They <strong>of</strong>ten have to put up with a lot <strong>of</strong> tearsand trantrums, but they do it in such a caring way,need more carers, young or old, so that we cancontinue to <strong>of</strong>fer this vital ministry to local mums. If youcan volunteer your time only once a fortnight during theschool term, please make contact with us. Uni studentsand parents <strong>of</strong> school aged kids, please considerhelping with this great mission.Again, to all these volunteers we say a massive thankyou!We must also say a big thank you to Wilsons Fruit fortheir generous contribution to MOPS every fortnight.They have been a big supporter <strong>of</strong> <strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong> MOPS forseveral years now and it is very very much appreciated.This year we have seen a drop in numbers, averagingaverage numbers during the winter months with somany families suffering from illness. Although we havehad lower numbers, we have seen some exciting thingstake place to advance the kingdom. Early in the year westarted a group for mums interested in learning moreabout who Jesus is and what He requires <strong>of</strong> us. I am stillmeeting weekly with these 4 women who are so eager todiscover who this Jesus character is. It is very exciting.This year we held a MOPS dinner at <strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong>, which was afun and delicious night out for mums. It was a greatsuccess and something we hope to make an annualevent.Term 3 / 4 we will commence using the new buildings forour meetings and hope to be able to use the newplayground by the end <strong>of</strong> the year.We look forward to hosting our 3 rd family fun day midNovember, which we hope to hold at <strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong> and utilisethe new playground facilities.<strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong> MOPS is a well oiled machine, running smoothlywithout much great effort. This allows us to focus moreon being intentional with our relationships, steering themtowards Jesus and discovering effective ways to do this(all while keeping up with the MOPS machinemaintenance, ensuring it will continue on for many moremums).MOPS gives us, as a church, a window <strong>of</strong> opportunity tominister to mums in our community over a period <strong>of</strong>several years. We may see a mum only once or we maysee them for regularly for 4 years. Either way, we aim forevery encounter to be an uplifting experience from whichthey leave being encouraged, empowered and motivatedto be the best mum they can be. Sowing seeds <strong>of</strong> theGospel at every given opportunity.It is a privilege to be a part <strong>of</strong> the MOPS team and servethe Lord and mums in what can be such a stretching timeto MOPS.Sarah BoltonMOPS CoordinatorHere we are in term 4 already! The MOPS year has flown by due to all the fun we'vehad and these last few months will be no exception.We ended <strong>of</strong>f term 3 by hosting a child focused first aid course run by Child ReviveFirst Aid. Amanda, our presenter, is an experienced paramedic plus a mum <strong>of</strong> 2young children so her knowledge was very practical and helpful. It was a fantasticcourse and because it was so good we are currently taking names <strong>of</strong> anyone who isinterested in participating in another first aid course in early November. This coursewill be full industry accredited level 2 first aid, it will run for 7 hours and cost $110. If you are interested please let meknow ASAP so we can go ahead and book the course.We have many great speakers and topics planned for MOPS this term, one being a Tea and Testimony morning. Wewill hear from a <strong>Christ</strong>ian mum or two <strong>of</strong> the testimony <strong>of</strong> God's guidance on for their mothering journey and then enjoya delicious high tea. It would be so wonderful if you could remember this special MOPS morning in your prayers andask that the hearts <strong>of</strong> our non-believing mums will be s<strong>of</strong>tened and opened, and that anyone who especially needs tohear these stories will be able to make it along. Our Tea and Testimony morning will be on Wednesday 14 November.Also, on Saturday November 17 we will be holding our annual MOPS Family Fun day which is always a highlight <strong>of</strong> theyear and a great chance for all our MOPS families to enjoy a fun day out together. Please pray for good weather andgreat opportunities to share the light <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christ</strong> with the other family members.Our final MOPS gathering for the year will be on December 12.Sadly, this will also be my final <strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong> MOPS meeting as my family and I will be moving back to Geelong. My husbandhas received a permanent teaching position which will commence in 2013. I have made so many wonderful friendsthrough <strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong> and MOPS that I know I will keep for life and it will be a sad day saying farewell. It has been an honourand privilege to be involved with such a fantastic ministry and team at <strong>York</strong> <strong>St</strong>. I'm confident the next wave <strong>of</strong> MOPSleaders will continue to have a strong and fruitful influence on mums Ballarat wide.Sarah14
KIDS HOPE REPORTAt Easter we had a Celebration afternoon. I was able to share a message with those whoattended.Six new mentors have trained.And we had a Youth Night at the school with 7 students that came. Some <strong>of</strong> them are keen tocontinue to be involved in youth.This year I decided to let some <strong>of</strong> the mentors share a bit about their mentoring experiences :Michelle McCauslandTell us a bit about you time as a mentor.I have been mentoring for about a year and a half. Mystudent loves to cook and do craft. She is in year 4.Have there been hard times?No it is always a pleasure and an honor.Tell us what you have enjoyed the most about being aKids Hope mentor?I enjoy the things we do together and I enjoy the impactthat she has on my life. I enjoy the opportunity to shareher life and that she is finally starting to trust me.Would you recommend this to other <strong>Christ</strong>ian friends?What would you say to them?I would absolutely recommend mentoring to my friends.love with children who would probably never even hearabout God.Any other comments?We do best and worst at the dinner table and everyTuesday my best is going to mentoring!!!Val TonkinTell us a bit about you time as a mentor.I have been mentoring since the beginning <strong>of</strong> <strong>2012</strong>. Mylittle girl is in grade 1/2. She has lots <strong>of</strong> energy and sheis always very excited to see me. We have packed in awide variety <strong>of</strong> activities eg. Reading, puzzles,crosswords, cooking, lots <strong>of</strong> different crafts and art/painting.Have there been hard times?Not really! I think I have been very blessed with my littlegirl.Tell us what you have enjoyed the most about being aKids Hope mentor?Developing a relationship with another person andsharing my knowledge and skills. My vision for her isthat she grows into a beautiful and talented youngwoman who has been given the opportunity to exploreher creativity and develop a healthy self-esteem ( nice tothink that I can make a small contribution to this ). Ihave also met her siblings and both parents. HerWould you recommend this to other <strong>Christ</strong>ian friends ?What would you say to them?stretches you and it is a real opportunity to make aAny other comments?Chris Barlow has been a great role model and support. Ihave also enjoyed the catch up meetings.Lerise FrewTell us a bit about you time as a mentor.I have been mentoring for 4 years . I mentor a girl whois now in grade 5 , some things we do togetherare :cooking , crafts, board games or trivia games ,times tables ,reading and talkingHave there been hard times ?No , only that I wish I could help her situation moreTell us what you have enjoyed the most about being aKids Hope mentor?Having a laugh , Every week I say something or doto leave.Would you recommend this to other <strong>Christ</strong>ian friends ?What would you say to them ?One hour a week you get to make a difference in aChildShe is nice andkind and she isoutgoing. I enjoyedmaking a dog withher and the cooking.I like doing all thethings we do.Love From Maddyand like to talk with me too. I also enjoy the schoolgenerally it is a fantastic nurturing environment to bepart <strong>of</strong>.15
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