Hello Steering Team Leaders, 31 July 2008

Can you believe that summer is almost over?!

I have been blessed with the opportunity to be your Council Coordinator; in short, this means that I am your direct connection with MOPS International(MI). With MI guidance, I will provide encouragement, face-to-face training opportunities and support to you and your Steering Team. I encourage you to contact me anytime you have questions, concerns or new ideas! It’s also my greatest hope that we can share our ideas with each group in our Council.

Zone 14 is comprised of 107 MOPS and 1 Teen MOPS groups in parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio & West Virginia – those numbers are constantly changing. Directly above me is our Area Coordinator, Gayle Stahlman, who lives in Pennsylvania, and will be training Council Coordinators (like me) and Ministry Advancement Coordinators in our Zone. Our Zone Event Coordinator is Tammi Iams. She helps groups coordinate events such as the Leadership Summit or the Great Mom’s Walk. Our Regional Coordinator is Jessica Haase & she is responsible for all groups and leaders in the entire Eastern Region. Other Council Coordinators in our Zone include Carrie Burtt, Lorie West, Kimberly Kennedy, Renie Griffith & Lisa Hull. If you ever feel led to become part of the Field Leader team for MOPS, please let me know, we have many leadership opportunities available.

In addition to being your Council Coordinator, I’m also continuing on as the MOPPETS Team Leader for Trinity United Methodist Church MOPS in Brackenridge, PA. Someone else is leading us on our next adventure.

I am wife to Mark and mom to 4 boys: Jake 15, Zach 13, & fraternal twins Gage & Chase who will be 5 in November. It’s been 15 years since my life before children. I’m not sure if I can really remember what it was like back then. That’s when I started my career in the United States Air Force. Eight years, 2 children, & about 6 moves later I wound up in the Pittsburgh area. After a divorce (I didn’t have MOPS then) & some soul searching I joined the Air Force Reserves in Coraopolis, PA. I have 13 years under my belt & hope to retire with 20 years of service. Obviously this isn’t an ordinary job & I have to spend time traveling to different parts of the world. Typically I have to travel away from home twice a year for 1-5 weeks at a time. I will do my best to let you know when I am out of town so you still have some support.

As we climb aboard the rollercoaster into the next year of MOPS I look forward to getting to know you! Please join me at the Fall Council Meeting. It will be held by the MOPS group of Three Rivers Grace Community Church at Beverly Heights Church in Mount Lebanon. There will be food, fun & plenty of information. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other women in the area that are working toward the same goals as you & share ideas. Date, time & more information coming soon.

I will be praying for you to have peace in your heart during this busy time, wisdom in leadership, and for Christ’s love to pour out from your team onto your MOPS moms.

As you begin your adventure, don’t forget to relax and rest in God’s love & promises. “Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.” (Proverbs 16:3, The Message)

All for Him,

Maria Malkin

Council Coordinator – Zone 14

303 4th Street

Freeport, PA 16229

(724) 544-1398

Malkin16229@yahoo.com