Playing at the water table at Mom's Morning Out, a ministry at First UMC in Rapid City. Photos courtesy of MMO.

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at First United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota, you will find 75 children, ages 9 months through 5 years, making their way to a classroom for Mom's Morning Out—MMO.

MMO is a beautiful ministry for families in the Rapid City community. A team of ten teachers and five volunteers care for children, allowing parents time to run errands, check appointments off their list, or grab a coffee in silence. The focus is on creating a positive, caring, and social atmosphere for the children through opportunities to play, create, and imagine.

 "When it first started, it was a way for military moms to have an outlet. There were only a few children and two caretakers. It has grown over the years to this. Now we have five classrooms," said Anne Torgerson, Christian Education Director at First UMC.

The program takes place from 9 a.m. to noon. The children come and go to the classroom with children of a similar age. Then, they rotate with their teachers to different environments around the church. MMO is housed in the classrooms upstairs at First UMC. The classrooms are shared between Sunday morning, Wednesday night, and MMO groups. The nursery is located downstairs. View MMO's Facebook page.

"We have different rooms with play areas set up. There is physical play in one room. A new room this year that we call the music room with music, and yoga things like that in there," said Hannah O'Donnell, director for Mom's Morning Out. "Some rooms have play kitchens, playhouses, things like that. They're role-playing."

Children spend about 45 minutes to an hour in each room or station. The teachers develop the curriculum. The curriculum springboards from a Vacation Bible School experience designed for MMO families that happens in August free of charge. This year the theme for VBS was Friendship Farms.

"Our teachers are tremendously creative," said Torgerson. "We invited the families to attend our Vacation Bible School in August. Several MMO families attended. Teachers got a lot of ideas from that."

Members of First UMC and parents support MMO by providing donations and volunteering. "We created a teacher's wish list for each classroom," said O'Donnell. "We also asked for donations for snacks, toys, and craft items."

Torgerson serves as the Christian Education Coordinator for First UMC and has been a congregation member for eight years. She  coordinatinates the details and logistics for MMO like the handbook, safety protocols, and is the liaison between First UMC and MMO. 

"Before Hannah started, many people in the church didn't even know what MMO was. Now, everyone in the church is very aware. We're working hard to do some cross-programs between MMO and the congregation," said Anne.

O'Donnell came to the Rapid City area in 2021.  Hannah is a military spouse, as are most of the teachers. Several of the MMO families are connected with the military at nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base. Previously, she worked at a preschool. When she discovered that First UMC was looking for a director, she applied because she enjoyed working with the children.

"I can work with a variety of age groups of children. I like working with the teachers," she said. "When I applied, I was nervous because I have a stutter. I wasn't sure I could lead. I learned how this program is a family. People have been very friendly."

The program is vital to the community, and families value the program. "This is a program that is important to the families that are here. New people in the area are looking for connections. We have implemented ideas to get moms connected," said Anne. "A lot of teachers were professionals before they came here. This program gives them a chance to stay connected to the professional world and each other."

It is a safe environment where families are comfortable bringing their children. "People in the community love the program. They talk about how nice it is  and that it is a safe place. It is affordable," said Hannah. "It is $45 monthly for one session and $85 for two sessions weekly. The older kids usually come twice a week. Children in the nursery come once a week."

It is a caring, creative environment for the children and an understanding work environment for the teachers. "It is fun to walk down the hall  and see everything that is going on—science, music, yoga. It is fantastic. I don't think you can get that in another preschool setting," said Anne. "It is unique and something that everybody can embrace."

Enjoying snack time at MMO.

Torgerson and O'Donnell are creating opportunities for moms who bring thier children to connect. One of the ways moms connect is through Mom Ambassadors—a partnership where an experienced mom from the congregation or community is paired with a new nom.

"It was neat to see things happen when we brought the ambassadors and moms together," said Anne. "Hannah and I started with them and left the room. They were there for over an hour, laughing and talking. They felt good meeting one another."

Moms were asked what other activities they would like to see that would help them connect to each other and the community. That has prompted activities like a coffee for moms. Playgroups in the various rooms at First UMC will be available in the winter. The playgroups will happen organically with different families. In December, a Breakfast with Santa is being planned, and children from MMO will be invited to sing during a worship service at First UMC. A parent night out is being planned for February.

"We are trying to invite MMO families to all of the activities at the church to build community," said Anne.

One of the challenges of MMO or any program involving families with young children is working on the details around safety and policy. Small things like how to handle illness or teacher orientation need to be defined. See MMO's handbook. 

"Invite your congregation into the vision. Cover your policies bases." This is advice that Hannah and Anne give to other churches considering entering a ministry like MMO.

"Every community, large or small, needs a place for moms to get a break. Safe child care is needed," said Anne.

"Any church can do this no matter the size, big or small," they both shared, "We love it, and it is fun!"