FOCUS • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
care
Promoting Positive Aging
(Older Adult Mental Health)
with Matthew Wynn, PhD, Clinical
Neuropsychologist, Integrity Geropsychology
November 9 at 10:15 a.m. in the Oak Room
Dr. Matthew Wynn is a psychologist who specializes in working with older adults.
He will present information about older adult mental health including common
frustrations and situations that lead to issues with mood or worry. He brings about
10 years of geriatric training and experience from UCSF’s Memory & Aging Center,
Washington University in St. Louis, and his own private psychology practice.
Matthew will discuss stereotypes and myths about older adult mental health as well
as strategies and tools that have been shown to promote well-being.
All are welcome. Contact Shelli Brudzinski at shelli@lopc.org with questions.
Dementia Caregivers
Support Group
November 5 and 19
December 3 and 17
Join this one-hour support group
for those caring for someone with
dementia. The group meets on the
first and third Wednesdays of the
month at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom.
To register, please contact
Linda Fodrini-Johnson at
lindafj620@outlook.com.
Sanctuary Flower Sponsorships
2026 Calendar Opens November 17
Each week, LOPC’s talented and creative
flower team design the large Sanctuary
chancel arrangement to enhance the worship
experience. Sponsoring the flowers for a
Sunday worship service is a beautiful way
to celebrate or honor your loved ones. For
a $150 suggested donation, your personal
dedication will be published in the worship
bulletin on the Sunday of your sponsorship,
and the flower team will do their best to
accommodate any special requests for the
arrangement.
Sign up at lopc.org/flowers to confirm your
Sunday of choice for 2026.
Welcome New
Members!
Kathy Bell
Carlanne Cheney
Jeff Cheney
Ann Ewing
Keith Howard
Laura Howard
Ron Kosich
Aaron McDaniel
Leona McDaniel
Shirley Sciutto
session
Notable motions that were approved included:
•
Approve establishing a one-year International
Volunteer Experience position at LOPC in partnership
with Berkeley Presbyterian Mission Homes.
•
Approve CNC’s slate of nominees for leadership
positions at LOPC for terms beginning January 1, 2026.
•
Approve expenditures for several campus
maintenance projects including repairing floor issues
in the CLC and broken lights in the sanctuary.
•
Approve requests to collect special offerings at the
Musical Remembrance for All Souls worship service
on November 2 and the Christmas Concerts on
December 13 and 14.
Items discussed included:
•
An update on LOPC’s transition to two worship services.
•
Work of the three task forces that are focusing on the
areas of Family Support, Mental Health & Loneliness, and
Relational Groups.
•
A personnel team report provided by Peter Whitelock
and elder for Personnel, Royce Nicolaisen.
•
A report on Children, Youth, and Family ministries given
by Cynthia Purvis.
•
An update on the Congregation Nominating Committee’s
work for the year.
•
The San Francisco Presbytery’s statement in response to
the Palestine/Israel conflict.
Session met on September 16 and October 21.