Grace MOPS brings local mothers together

On June 15, the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce awarded Hannah Bahney with the Shining Star award for her efforts to establish a local Mothers of Preschoolers group.

“Fulton County is blessed by your efforts to create a space for mothers to come together, build friendships and encourage one another through life,” said Chamber Executive Director Jillian Smith of Bahney.

MOPS is an international organization formed in 1973 when a group of moms with young children banded together to share their lives and parenting journeys. These days, MOPS is also partnering with churches and organizations worldwide to equip and encourage moms in more than 68 countries, according to its website, mops.org.

Bahney, who is the mother of three girls, was first introduced to the group when she moved to Michigan a few years ago. “I was a stay-at-home mom, and I didn’t know anyone,” she recalled.

That changed soon after joining MOPS. “I met people and became involved in the commu- nity. … It was a big change for our family.”

This profound experience inspired Bahney to “pay it forward” later when her family moved to Fulton County. And in 2022, she was able to start Grace MOPS, which drew 43 mothers over the course of the year to their monthly meetings at Rochester Grace United Methodist Church.

Bahney acknowledged receiving help from other moms when forming the local MOPS, including Ashlie Smith and Erin Reason. Reason, who has three young sons, assumed the group’s accounting responsibilities.

“There are not a lot of opportunities to get together with other moms,” said Reason of being the mother of young children. These women are often responsible for the majority of childrearing, which can be an isolating experience.

“It’s a tough season of life,” she noted, and with MOPS, mothers are able to “commiserate together and know we’re not alone.”

Reason cited one member’s feedback response, which stated MOPS “came at a really good time.”

Each meeting usually features a speaker and a topic. A recent meeting featured a mediContinued on page 3