By RACHEL ALBIN

Special to The Hays Daily News

Calling all mothers of preschoolers to join in the adventure. What adventure? Adventures in Mothering is the 2008-09 theme for the local MOPS group.

We are excited to spread the word about how we plan to address the ups and downs of motherhood together. Monthly meetings are as a ministry offered by Messiah Lutheran Church for all mothers of preschoolers regardless of your religious affiliation. Meetings are the second Saturday of the month, from September through May. The meetings start at 9:30 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m.; childcare is provided through a sister program called MOPPETS.

MOPS is an international program that exists to nurture mothers, equip, educate and emotionally support them through the daily joys, trials and tribulations of raising children ages birth through kindergarten. MOPS believes better moms make a better world. MOPS affects more than 14.3 million people. More than 115,000 moms meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly and more than 4,000 groups meet worldwide. The local group of MOPS formed last year and has had a wonderful first year. The group walked in the Fort Hays State University Homecoming Parade in October, sent shoeboxes to Operation Christmas Child in November and had a booth at the Fun Fest at the Mall in April. All of these events have helped raise community awareness, but the group still would like to reach out to more moms.

That is why the group is participating in "The Great Moms Walk" this year. The group is going to walk in the Wild West Festival Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. The Great Moms Walk is an event all MOPS groups have the opportunity to use so they can generate community awareness and also is used as a fundraiser. The group is a non-profit organization, and fundraising is done strictly to help subsidize the MOPS and MOPPETS program budget. Most importantly, it allows the group to take part in helping other community ministries and give back to other causes in need. MOPS of Messiah Lutheran has the desire to reach out and help; they want to become an organization that Hays looks at as a benefit and asset to the community.

We want to invite all moms, dads, kids, grandmas, grandpas, everyone to walk with us in the parade. The larger the group, the more attention we will draw. We are going to hand out popcorn along the parade route to as many people as we can, so the more the better. Along with the popcorn, we will hand out a small informational flyer about MOPS so we can try to reach out to all mothers of preschoolers. We are meeting at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at Messiah Lutheran Church, 20th and Main.

Please show up if you would like to walk. Please consider partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of families locally.

In addition, if you are interested in donating or pledging to our group, you can go online to www.firstgiving.com/mopsofmessiahlutheran or send a check to MOPS of Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main, Hays KS 67601.

Anyone wishing to lean more about MOPS International can go to www.mops.org or call Messiah Lutheran Church at (785) 625-2057.