Groups for Moms in All Stages of Life
What TRBC offers ladies in the community By Megan L. House | Photos by Mitchell Bryant
Are you stressed, overwhelmed or maybe just in need of a good girls’ night out? Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC)
offers a wide variety of support groups specifically designed for moms like you. Although they strive for their groups to meet the practical needs of mothers, they also hope to provide opportunities for longlasting friendships to develop. “It’s helpful to have a community to do life together,” said Lisa Bryant, Director of Women’s Life at TRBC. By offering various groups, TRBC hopes to encourage mothers in all stages of life. With nearly 125 moms involved, Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is one of the main groups offered at TRBC for mothers. “It is really a dynamic group for mothers of preschoolers,” Bryant said. “They connect around tables and have a leader and a mentor mom.” This group offers advice on everything from organizing skills to effective discipline and fun holiday traditions. Striving to offer practical advice to help moms of preschoolers be better moms, TRBC has adopted the mission as stated on the MOPS International website: “Better moms make a better world.” “It’s a really neat ministry,” Bryant said. Including the United States and 35 different countries, there are over 3,900 MOPS groups. A childcare program, MOPPETS, is available while mothers attend the meetings. Aside from MOPS, women’s Bible studies with childcare are offered during the week. “These are great opportunities for moms to connect throughout the week,” Bryant said. Currently, the spring study is entitled “Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath.” In the fall, a new series will begin. The ladies’ Bible study meets at two different times on Tuesdays—9:00-11:00 a.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. MomChat is another great option for moms who are looking for a time of fellowship while gathering over dinner to discuss different issues. “It’s a night out for moms,” Bryant said. This group meets the first Monday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. “The purpose of MomChat is to provide an authentic and safe place for moms to delve deeper
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Women enjoy conversation at a recent event. in understanding how to honor God by living a life of wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God,” said Barbi Talbert, who has been involved with the group since 2008. Although most groups meet at TRBC, this group is hosted by different women each month. “I would encourage local moms to participate in MomChat for the opportunity to fellowship with other moms while gaining wisdom to add to their parenting repertoire from moms who have been there,” Talbert said. Are you new to Lynchburg? In the fall, TRBC offers a group for women called After the Boxes are Unpacked, which is a group specifically for newcomers. Although this six-week class meets each fall, there are activities throughout the year to help ladies stay connected. “It’s specifically designed for ladies who have just moved to the area,” Bryant said. Coffee Break, a group for professional ladies, is not specifically for moms, but it is a group for working ladies to refresh and recharge. With about 500 ladies in attendance, this group provides an opportunity to fellowship with other ladies in the community. Although some of the groups are winding down until fall, this is a great time to join MomChat and MOPS. “There are opportunities throughout the summer to join in small groups,” Bryant said. For MOPS, there