BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
JULY/AUGUST 2026
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
Pastoral Staff
Peter Whitelock - Head of Staff
Lauren Gully - Mission & Outreach
Jaime Polson - Care & Executive Leadership
Chris Baldwin - Community & Formation
Jane Doty MacKenzie - Interfaith & Care
Ministry Directors
Emily Austin - Children’s Ministry
Coleen Moulton - Seedlings Preschool
Cynthia Purvis - Youth
Susan Wentworth - Children’s Ministry
Finance
Suzanne Ferraro
Focus Newsletter
Pamela Moidel - Design
Lexi Morrissey - Editor
Worship ................................. 2
Community............................ 3
Children ................................ 5
Youth ..................................... 6
Mission................................... 7
Finance ................................. 9
Thursday Fellowship...........10
New Members.......................11
Session .................................12
Seedlings ..............................13
Care/Staff..............................14
CONTENTS
July/August 2026
Submissions & Deadlines
Please send requests for submissions to: lexi@lopc.org
no later than August 1 for the September/October issue.
Staying Connected: Sign up for our
weekly email to stay up-to-date on all things
LOPC! Visit: lopc.org/email.
Need to reach us?
info@lopc.org • 925-283-8722
Summer’s
Renewal
God says, “Be still, and know that
I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Summer is a magical time
around LOPC! Our children’s
and youth programs come
alive in a new way as young
people have more time to
devote to growing their hearts and
deepening their love for God. Through
programs like Vacation Bible Camp, Service Squad
for middle schoolers, and high school service-
learning opportunities, children and youth can dive
more deeply into their faith and experience God
in new ways. It is sacred, set-apart time with fewer
interruptions and less busyness than during the
school year. It’s blissful!
I hope the same is true for adults—that summer
opens up time and space for you to travel, take in
God’s natural wonders, from oceans to mountains.
Or, if you are home in the East Bay, enjoy the views
of Mt. Diablo and all the wonders of a California
summer. This slower pace of life allows us to pause,
remember God, and encounter God in unexpected
and surprising ways.
This summer, I will be in Canada on sabbatical,
hiking in Banff, enjoying the dark sky preserve in
Jasper, and observing bears in their natural habitat
in British Columbia. I have no doubt I will experience
God’s stillness and peace and stand in awe of God’s
creative power through all I see, hear, and learn.
God’s gift of nature has a way of drawing us closer
to Him.
I encourage you to spend time outdoors this summer
and take moments to be still and appreciate the
beauty around you. Breathe deeply and stand in awe
of God’s creation. Open your Bible and meditate
quietly on a passage. During this time away, I will
be doing the same—tending to my soul and being
renewed by God. In those quiet moments, you will
be in my prayers.
Until August, with love,
Pastor Jaime
By Jaime Polson – Pastor, Care Ministry & Exec. Leadership
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together.
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together.
Daniel Sargent on
The Declaration of
Independence
July 5 at 11:40 a.m.
in the Oak Room
We are fortunate to have a
professional historian as a member
of LOPC. Daniel J. Sargent is the Alexander F. and
May T. Morrison Professor of American History
and Citizenship at UC Berkeley. In celebration
of our country’s 250th anniversary, Daniel will be
speaking on the Declaration of Independence.
Drawing on his current research, he will trace
how its enduring values have been referenced at
major junctures in US history over the past 250
years. All are welcome — plan to join us!
Summer Sermon Series
Faith Notes
July 12 – September 6
Over the years, popular music has given voice to many
important issues and concerns that are also addressed in
the Bible. In this series we will be pairing some big hits from
the past several decades with scriptures that invite us to
engage the message of the song from a faith perspective.
What we find may surprise us!
July 12: “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
July 19: “You Will Be Found” by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
July 26: “Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins
August 9: “Turn, Turn, Turn” by Pete Seeger
August 16: “The Middle” by Audrey Assad
August 23: “Preach” by John Legend
August 30: Youth Sunday
September 6: “The Rose” by Amanda McBroom
By making a legacy gift to the LOPC
Foundation, you can give the way you live—
by making a better future for your loved ones
and a lasting impact on our LOPC community.
To learn more about legacy giving, reach out to a Foundation Trustee or visit lopc.org/foundation.
If you want to build on THE LOPC FOUNDATION
and the gifts already given, please consider
naming the Foundation in your estate plans.
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
community
Book Groups
Join the fellowship of one of LOPC’s book groups!
Fourth Monday Book Group
July 27 – Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
August 24 – The Chancellor by Kati Marton
This group meets on Zoom at 2:00 p.m.
To join the Monday book group, please contact
Leslie Finertie at leslie-finertie@comcast.net.
Fourth Friday Book Group
July 31 - Book not yet selected.
This group meets on Zoom at 4:00 p.m.
To join the Friday book group, please contact
Catherine Coleman at awaitingword@gmail.com.
Young Families Connect
July 12 and August 9
11:00 a.m. on the back playground
Families with children from
infant through 4th grade are
invited to join us for a fun and
relaxed morning of play, laughter,
and community. A wonderful
opportunity to connect with other families, make new friends, and build
meaningful relationships. No registration is required.
For more information, contact Tom Whitelock
at WhitelockTom@gmail.com.
New Member
Class
Sunday, July 19
11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Oak Room
Interested in learning
more about LOPC
and membership?
Join Pastors Peter
Whitelock and Chris
Baldwin to explore
LOPC’s vision, connect
through our Next Steps program, and meet others
who are new to the community. Whether you’ve
been attending for a while or are just starting your
journey, this is a great way to take the next step.
Sign up at lopc.org/registrations. For more
information contact Pastor Chris Baldwin at
chris@lopc.org
Ministry Fair
August 30
Explore the many ways
to get involved at LOPC
by visiting ministry
booths on the plaza and
connecting with the community after worship. This
event is following Youth Sunday worship service.
If you would like to host a table on the plaza or
for more information, contact Gina Hageboeck at
gina@lopc.org.
LOPC has a wide array of Community
Groups – find your perfect fit and connect
with others. There’s a place for you!
Visit lopc.org/groups. For more
information, email chris@lopc.org.
JOIN A
COMMUNITY GROUP
AT LOPC!
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
Backyard Bash Brings Summer Fun to LOPC
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Backyard Bash, on
Sunday, June 28th. Friends and family enjoyed a super fun summertime
get-together filled with sunshine, smiles, fellowship, and fun!
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the Dunk Tank, where
guests had a blast cheering on our brave staff members as they took
the plunge, and not just once!
Families and friends enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch, old-fashioned
games, live music, a pie-eating contest, and lots more.
A special thank you to Pastor Chris Baldwin, Gina Hageboeck, and the
incredible volunteer teams who helped bring this joyful event to life. We
are so grateful for everyone who helped create such a welcoming and
memorable day for our church family and community.
Mark your calendars for our next event: LOPC Fall Festival on Sunday,
October 4 at 11:30 a.m. Register at lopc.org/fall.
We welcome members to join our community events team. Contact
Gina Hageboeck at gina@lopc.org for more information.
A Community Celebration of our
Country’s 250th Anniversary
In June, Temple Isaiah and LOPC hosted
an interfaith celebration of our country’s
250th anniversary. Each Wednesday, over
200 individuals from houses of worship
in our community gathered to reflect on
four foundational texts: The Declaration of
Independence, Frederick Douglass’ speech
“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?,”
Emma Lazarus’ poem, “The New Colossus,” and
“America the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates.
A local scholar set the historical context for us,
and then small groups discussed our shared
values and how they might shape our civic
life. All this will culminate on July 3rd in dinner
together and an interfaith Shabbat service. This
was a wonderful way to deepen our interfaith
relationships and strengthen the connections
with our Lamorinda neighbors!
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
Vacation Bible Camp — Thank you!
On June 8, LOPC welcomed 42 campers to Rainforest Falls, where they made crafts, played games, conducted science experiments,
and served others—all while exploring the nature of God through daily Bible stories and Bible points. We were delighted to welcome
both new and returning friends and were guided throughout the week by an incredible team of teen and adult volunteers.
Camp concluded with a delicious ice cream social sponsored by Loard’s Ice Cream in Orinda, where families gathered to celebrate
an exciting milestone: raising more than $1,500 for FotoKids in just five days. As a reward for surpassing our fundraising goal,
campers enjoyed the unforgettable sight of building ice cream sundaes on Ms. Emily’s and Susan’s heads!
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who helped make Rainforest Falls a success—from those who joined our
“Crafternoons” and assisted with setup and teardown to the volunteers who encouraged and cared for our campers each day.
We could not have done it without you!
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
Launch Program
We’re currently recruiting mentors to work with high school juniors and seniors for the next academic year.
If you’d like to walk alongside teens as they prepare for adulthood, please contact Cynthia.
Confirmation Fall Session:
8th to 12th grade
6 Sundays beginning
September 13, 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Confirmation is a faith milestone for
students as they explore faith, ask
questions in a safe environment, and seek
to actively explore their own faith journey.
Each time we meet, we’ll engage in
activities, discussion, and a lesson that
helps to illuminate important topics of
faith.
If you’d like to sign up, contact Cynthia.
Contact Cynthia Purvis
at cynthia@lopc.org.
@lopc_youth
Youth Alive!
Youth Alive, our Sunday morning youth Bible study for 5th – 8th graders, at
10:00 a.m. in CLC Room 201. Youth Alive returns in August.
During Youth Alive, students play games, listen to a devotional, and discuss
the scripture from the day and so much more. Come join us in August when we
return from summer break. Due to Youth Sunday, we will all worship together
on August 30.
In May we ended the school year with
a messy game night for YOW and an
evening at Yogurt Shack for BTW. YOW
and BTW are on summer break until
school returns. To stay connected,
check out our special events
throughout the summer.
We also had a chance to bless our high
school seniors and pray over them.
We’re excited to see where God leads
them. May they always know they have
a place to call home at LOPC.
BTW By the Way
Sundays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Optional pizza dinner at 5:45 p.m. in the Davies Room is $5.
Youth in 9th–12th grade connect with each other through games, worship,
Bible-based devotions, and small group discussions. Together, we discuss a
wide range of age-appropriate topics including God’s vision for justice in the
world, how to grow in your personal faith journey, what it looks like to live as a
follower of Christ. Youth meet with a consistent small group including peers and
adult advisors throughout the year to build relationships, authenticity, and trust.
BTW returns in August and runs through May 2027.
YOW Youth on Wednesday
Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Optional pizza dinner at 5:30 p.m. is $5.
Youth in 5th–8th grades gather on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in CLC
201 for fun games, worship music, a Bible-based devotional lesson, and small
group discussions. There is an optional pizza dinner for $5 (cash or check) at
5:30 p.m. Together, we discuss how God is at work in the world, how to grow in
faith, friendship, school, family and more!
Youth meet with a consistent small group including peers, teen, and adult
advisors throughout the year to build authenticity and trust. YOW also regularly
includes service-learning activities. No registration is required.
YOW returns on August 19 and runs through May 2027.
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
mission
LOPC Receives Habitat for
Humanity’s Faith in Action Award
n May 15, Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian
Church was honored with Habitat for
Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s “Faith
in Action” Award at their 40th Anniversary
President’s Brunch. Mission Manager Michelle
Browning accepted the award on behalf of the
congregation.
Habitat recognized LOPC’s 25-year partnership,
which includes over $200,000 in financial
support for affordable homebuilding and
sponsorship of the Interfaith Unity House in
Walnut Creek. LOPC volunteers have also
contributed more than 300 on-site hours,
helping local families achieve stable, dignified
homeownership.
This award recognizes LOPC’s ongoing
commitment to putting faith into action by
partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build
homes, strengthen communities, and provide
hope for families throughout the East Bay.
Hosting Winter
Nights Family
Shelter:
November 9 – 30
his fall, LOPC will
once again welcome
families experiencing
homelessness through
the Winter Nights Family
Shelter program, and this
year, we’re doing even
more. When Winter Nights asked for an extra host week, we said yes. Our three-
week commitment shows that we believe stability matters, and that a few extra
days can truly help families facing a tough time.
We are honored to be one of Winter Nights’ favorite host sites, and that’s thanks
to you. Our campus, amenities, and most importantly, our volunteers make LOPC
a place where families feel truly welcomed and cared for.
Introducing a New Role: Lead Onsite Volunteer
This year, we’re adding an important new position to help us host even better. The
Lead Onsite Volunteer will be the main point of contact during our Winter Nights
hosting, making sure each evening goes well, greeting volunteers (and serving
alongside them), and creating a welcoming space for the families we serve. It’s a
hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys hospitality and service.
If you are interested in this role, or know someone who would be a great fit,
please contact Michelle Browning.
Service Trip
Interest Survey
We are planning several exciting
mission and service opportunities for
late 2026 and 2027, and your response
matters! Look at the options below and
let us know where you feel called to
serve:
•
Los Angeles (October 2026)
Adult Trip
Partner with Habitat for Humanity
to assist with rebuilding efforts in
Altadena.
•
India (January 2027)
Adult Trip
Serve alongside our partners at the
Children of Faith home.
•
Guatemala (Spring Break 2027)
Family or Youth Trip
A service and learning experience
partnering with Fotokids.
Let Us Know You’re Interested.
Contact Michelle at michelle@lopc.org
to express your interest, indicate your
preferred trip(s), or request additional
information.
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
Congo Students Receive Desks
By Herb Long
t the Congo Mission Network conference last year in
Alabama, the LOPC Congo Mission team attendees
spent time with the head of Congolese Presbyterian
Church of Kinshasa (CPK), Rev. Issac Kalonji. CPK is one of
the two major Presbyterian organizations in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. CPK operates 430 nursery,
primary, and secondary schools in the DRC capital and
the surrounding area. We asked Rev. Kalonji what is one
of his pressing needs for the schools. He said he simply
needs desks and provided pictures of students sitting at
overcrowded desks or sitting on the floor in the schools.
The Congo Mission team used some of its mission budget
to send funds to CPK for 292 desks constructed locally.
See pictures of the desks being constructed and then the
students preparing to enter the school with the new desks.
Notice the sign with thanks for LOPC’s support.
Feeding Our Neighbors -
A Growing Need
By Phil and Beth Hunter
s you may know, the Food Bank of
Contra Costa and Solano Counties
is an LOPC Mission Partner, receiving
financial support from the church,
individuals, and groups. Caitlin Sly,
President & CEO of the Food Bank,
explained at the April 26th 10:10 that
LOPC has been one of the Food
Bank’s greatest supporters since
our relationship began in 1985, with
individuals and groups also donating
food and volunteer hours.
The US government’s efforts to
address hunger began in the 1930s
when “Food Stamps,” a voucher issued
by the government exchangeable
for food, was first introduced. Since
then, iterations of the program have
focused on administrative efficiency
and eligibility requirements such
as age, income, number in family,
disability, etc., in hopes of reducing
fraud and misuse. The government’s
program is now referred to as SNAP,
“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program.”
Even with decades of federal
assistance, hunger has persisted.
Local charitable organizations,
such as our Food Bank, have tried
to reduce the numbers of those
struggling, as well as national
organizations such as Second
Harvest, now called Feeding America.
In spite of decades of addressing
food insecurity with federal and
countless private organizations, in
2025 Congress passed H.R. 1, the
“Big Beautiful Bill,” which cuts SNAP
by $200 billion over the next 10
years, the largest cut in history. The
administration misleadingly reported
that this bill “lifted 1.2 million people
off SNAP,” implying an improvement
in the ability to achieve food security.
However, it’s expected that people
will become ineligible not through
increasing their income and ability
to afford nutritious food, but rather
because eligibility will be lost due
to more restrictive qualifications:
expanding age limits, income
minimums, work rules expanded
to 80 hours a month, etc. More
details: snapbenefitcalculator.com/
new-snap-update-for-may-2026/. It’s
expected that 2.4 million people in
the US — including 15,000 in Contra
Costa and Solano Counties — will
be involuntarily disqualified. Food
insecurity, already considered a crisis
by some, is expected to climb.
Striving for distribution efficiency,
the Food Bank is putting refrigerated
lockers on community college
campuses. Food is placed in
refrigerated lockers, and people
pick up food from the lockers at their
convenience. The refrigeration helps
reduce food waste while also helping
those in need who may have difficulty
getting to distribution centers during
staffed hours.
In addition to providing food, the Food
Bank hopes to be able to continue with
their “Second Responder” program. First
responders are emergency personnel
such as firefighters and medical
services. Second Responders send
food, in bulk or pre-packaged single-
serving, non-perishable, long-shelf-life
food. Boxes are prepared throughout
the year to enable a quick response
to a disaster. For example, food was
sent to the Camp Fire (Paradise, CA)
in 2018, the Maui, HI fire in 2023, and
the Los Angeles fires in January 2025.
The Federal Emergency Management
Agency’s (FEMA) budget has also been
reduced in the past year, raising concern
for adequate disaster response.
The Food Bank works to feed the poor,
to understand its clients, their needs,
and circumstances, and to meet clients
when and where they are. The breadth
of work provides volunteer opportunities
to individuals, families, and groups. Can
they count on your help?
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
finance
By Charles Cowden, Finance Elder
he financial operating reports
routinely budget operating
deficits at this time of year because
a significant portion of the Church’s
revenue is received in November
and December. As of April 30, 2026,
the actual deficit is slightly larger
than budgeted partially due to some
important maintenance and repair
items that had to be taken care of
and also some revenue shortfalls in
non-pledge income. The Finance Team
will continue to monitor operations
closely, but we feel that the year-to-
date variances as of April 30 are not
any indication of a larger financial
concern for the year.
The Finance team has also worked
with the Church’s outside independent
CPA firm which recently completed its
CPA Review of the church’s financial
statements for the year ended
December 31, 2025. A copy of the
financial statements is available for
any church member who requests
them. Please let Suzanne Ferraro,
LOPC treasurer, know if you would
like a copy. Members of the Finance
Team will also be happy to go over
the statements with you and answer
any questions that you might have.
Thank you for your continued
support of LOPC’s programs and
missions.
Giving at LOPC
One of the most practical
ways you can help is
through your financial
support so LOPC can
share God’s love through
our ministries.
To give, visit lopc.org/giving, or scan the
code on your mobile device.
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
10
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
Our summer schedule is as follows:
•
11:00 a.m. “Meet and Greet”
with snacks and beverages.
•
11:15 a.m. Creative arts and crafts,
activity, or light exercise program.
•
12:00 p.m. Lunch: Bring a lunch.
Dessert and beverage will be
provided.
•
12:30 Birthday celebrations.
•
12:45 p.m. Entertainment.
•
July 30: Talented and delightful
vocalist Cris Hussey will perform
August 20: TBD
•
1:30 p.m. Program ends.
We’re so grateful to our many volunteers
who make our program run and to our
guests who participate
and without whom our
program would not
exist.
Questions? Contact
Julie Peterson at
julie@lopc.org for
more information.
May was full of festivities with a
highlight being the celebration of
our 48-year anniversary of serving
seniors in the Lamorinda area. It was
a wonderful day to reminisce and
express our gratitude for the many
dedicated volunteers who have
helped develop Thursday Fellowship
into the caring and loving ministry it
is today. Long time favorites, Mike
and John Kistner, entertained us in
the afternoon as we all sang along.
Other highlights in May were, a
Cinco de Mayo celebration with a
Mariachi Band, the Rossmoor Square
dancers, and lastly, steel drum
musician, Benjamin Glasgow.
After such a fun packed year our
volunteers will take a break from
our regular programming during
the summer, BUT we will offer two
Thursday Fellowship meetings on
July 30 and August 20. Snacks,
dessert, and beverages will be
offered, birthdays will be celebrated,
and guests will bring their own
lunch.
hursday Fellowship hosted our
annual Hawaiian-themed day on
June 4 with a special art experience in
the morning and the Rossmoor Ukulele
Band performing in the afternoon.
The room was festively decorated, a
tropical salad was served for lunch,
and birthdays were celebrated with
cupcakes for dessert. It is a party we
look forward to all year, and it is a
wonderful way to end the program
year. It was a year of making new
friends and offering seniors in our
community the opportunity to gather
and enjoy activities including exercise,
creative arts and crafts, a shared meal,
and afternoon entertainment, fun, and
fellowship.
By Julie Peterson, Coordinator
thursdayFellowship
c a r i n g • s h a r i n g • l o v i n g
Every Thursday
September – June
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
11
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
Mimi Ingrey
Mimi and her husband Ken live in
Orinda, where they raised their
two daughters, Ali and Katie.
The Ingrey family has been
attending LOPC since 2002.
Mimi enjoys all kinds of exer
cise and loves teaching Chair Tap
Dancing at Thursday Fellowship.
Kevin Kimbrough &
Josh Morgan
The Morgan-Kimbrough Family
has called Orinda home for
the past 12 years. Joshua is
an Iowa native and a career
private banker, currently serving
as Region Lead for J.P. Morgan
Private Bank in the East Bay. Kevin,
a Granite Bay native, works on the national public
relations team of Providence Health. They are
proud parents to twin 11-year-olds, Luca and
Lana, who attend Sleepy Hollow Elementary.
Luca enjoys water polo, swimming, and ordering
the most expensive item on the menu, while Lana
loves reading, fashion, and all things Sephora.
Their family also includes Leo, their Golden
doodle, who loves to play and keeps a close eye
on any activity outside the home. As a family, they
enjoy traveling and hosting friends and family
for holiday gatherings and summer pool parties.
They were drawn to LOPC because of its warm
and welcoming community, as well as its strong
commitment to giving back through volunteerism.
Claudia Bubeck
Claudia has lived in Lafayette for over
50 years and still misses the small-town
feeling she enjoyed when she first moved
here. Since retiring 15 years ago from her
social work job, she has been enjoying her
garden, taking art classes, and going to the
symphony. She also volunteers at the library,
reads books, and plays with her cats. She is
grateful for discovering LOPC and the church’s message of being
Christ’s child.
Megan Shaughnessy Bondy
Megan is part of the blended Bondy crew.
She co-parents Dylan, Cyrus, Cleo, and
Daphne Bondy with their other parents
Neil Bondy and Puja Sarna. She feels lucky
to get hugs from the twins’ younger brother
Yogi, too. LOPC has been an integral part of
this family’s support system for the past four
years. Megan lived in San Francisco for most of
her life and moved to the East Bay in 2011. She was raised in the
liberation theology aspect of the Catholic Church, cares deeply
about social justice, and has been really enjoying reconnecting
to her faith in new ways here at LOPC. She is a social worker and
healthcare worker who is proud to be fluent in Spanish and enjoys
reading, writing, dancing, and building community. She also loves
to travel and has led two high-school service trips to El Salvador.
We joyfully celebrate the newest
members of the LOPC community! We
look forward to sharing in worship,
service, and community with each of you.
Megan Bondy, Claudia Bubeck, Doug
& Stephanie Butler, Denise Coane,
Mimi Ingrey, Kevin Kimbrough & Josh
Morgan, Jordan Lee, Wesley Palmquist
& Shannon Hackley, Heather Swedeen,
Mark & Cathy VandenBerghe.
Denise Coane
Denise
feels
that
family,
friends, fun, and most impor
tantly, faith, sum up her life.
She is a cheerleader, admirer,
and lover of her husband
Charlie, four adult children
living around the corner from
her, three adventurous nieces
and
nephews,
five
multi-talented
grandkids, and a sister and twin brother who
are forever learners. She can be found working
on her side business, Linger - Floral and Plant
Design, volunteering for the Diablo Valley League
of Women Voters or Lamorinda Village. And, you
might stumble across her participating in fun phys
ical or wellness activities with her various “tribes”.
Denise has been a Presbyterian for over 25 years.
She is hoping LOPC will help her gain complete
trust in her faith and practice more forgiveness.
WELCOME
n e w m e m b e r s
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
12
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
session
Wesley Palmquist &
Shannon Hackley
Wesley and Shannon are both
midwest transplants to California,
each arriving in their early teens.
They now live in San Leandro, and
their
second-marriage
blended
family includes five adult children,
plus spouses, and eight grandchildren.
Shannon is a graduate of UC Berkeley, and
Wesley is a graduate of Biola University and St. Mary’s
College in Moraga. Shannon is presently the owner of
an architectural wayfinding design firm. Wesley retired
from a forty-year healthcare administration career but
keeps busy with his small commercial property manage
ment practice. Together they are Bay Area enthusiasts,
enjoying cycling — Shannon only :) — theater, museums,
music, traveling, Rotary, and having friends over to their
home. Shannon and Wesley have been attending LOPC
since November 2025 and loved the church from the
first moment: the worship and teaching, as well as the
music, fellowship, and opportunities to serve.
Heather Swedeen
Heather lives in Orinda with her
husband Blair and daughters Ruby,
13, and Lulu, 10. Heather formerly
worked in HR and account manage
ment at various advertising agen
cies in San Francisco. Now she
spends most of her time shuttling her
daughters to various sports and activi
ties throughout the East Bay. Heather loves
playing tennis and traveling. The Swedeen family has
attended LOPC since 2019, when Lulu attended Seed
lings Preschool. The girls hope to get more involved
in children and youth ministry activities, while Heather
hopes to one day help in the nursery.
Mark & Cathy VandenBerghe
Mark and Cathy met on the first day
of their senior year at San Ramon
Valley High School in Danville and
will celebrate their 40th anniversary
this September. Time flies. Lafayette
has been their home since 1995, and
they raised two children here: Melanie,
31, and Luke, 24. Mark runs a real estate
development and investment company. Cathy
was a teacher at Children’s Hospital Oakland and then
a stay-home mom. Mark enjoys running, skiing, back
packing in the Sierras, and photography. Cathy enjoys
drawing, painting, gardening, and walking the trails of
Lamorinda. Jointly, they love to cook, travel, cheer on
their beloved Golden State Warriors, and spend time with
their family.
Report on May & June Session Meetings
he May session meeting began with a report from Linus
Eukel, Clerk of Session. Linus thanked everyone who
volunteered to help with the recent San Francisco Presbytery
meeting which was held at LOPC on May 12. On that day,
LOPC welcomed over 100 clergy and lay leaders from
other Bay Area Presbyterian churches. It was a productive
gathering to worship together, hear about Presbytery
activities, vote on important policies and financial decisions,
and enjoy each other’s company during the time for
fellowship and a meal. Peter Whitelock reminded elders that
the Church Nominating Committee is accepting 2027 church
leadership nominations through May 31. He also shared with
session plans for summer worship and the new 10:00 service
that will run from June 21 – September 6. Following Peter’s
report, Finance Elder Charles Cowden let session know that
Finance completed the annual financial review process. He
shared details about the review process and what Finance is
required to do based on the Book of Order requirements. The
last report at the May meeting was given by Jane MacKenzie
and and Elder Brian O’Shea. They provided a report on the
recent work of Interfaith ministry at LOPC and highlighted the
Faith 250 interfaith program during which LOPC partnered
with Temple Isaiah and other local congregations to explore
important American texts and how they relate to faith.
The June session meeting was held at Elder Jody Black’s
home which provided time for fellowship and a potluck
before the meeting. Peter Whitelock’s session report included
information about the ministry team goal planning process.
Every year, ministry teams are asked to develop goals for
the next program year (August 2026 – July 2027). This is a
wonderful opportunity for teams to reflect on their successes
of the past year and to develop new and engaging programs
for the LOPC community. Peter provided an update on next
steps for session after they received the three task force
reports. Strategic Planning Elder Jeff Eyet has been meeting
with task force leaders and clergy to review the findings and
recommendations of the three task forces which focused on
Family Support, Mental Health & Loneliness, and Relational
Groups. Lastly, Chris Baldwin gave a report on the ministry
areas that he oversees which are spiritual formation and
group life.
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
13
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
seedlings
Summer at Seedlings has been in full swing and our campus has been
filled with laughter, sunshine, and plenty of fun! The energy of summer
has brought so many opportunities for children to play, explore, and
make special memories with friends.
Summer Fun at Seedlings
Our summer days have been packed with favorite activities that
children look forward to all year long. From our famous puppet show
to kid-favorite temporary tattoos, there has been excitement around
every corner. Of course, with the warm weather, water play has been a
daily highlight, helping everyone stay cool while enjoying the outdoors.
Whether splashing with friends, participating in special activities,
or simply enjoying extra time on the playground, our children have
embraced all the joy that summer brings. It has been wonderful
watching friendships grow and seeing so many smiling faces.
Looking Ahead
As summer comes to a close, we are excitedly
preparing for the start of a new school year in
mid-August. We look forward to welcoming back
our returning families and hearing all about their
summer adventures.
We are also thrilled to welcome many new families
to the Seedlings community. We can’t wait for you
to experience the warmth, learning, and connection
that make our school such a special place.
Here’s to a wonderful start to the new school year
filled with discovery, growth, and plenty of happy
moments. We look forward to seeing everyone
soon!
FOCUS • JULY/AUGUST 2026
14
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
staff announcements
care
WOW Women on Wednesdays
Self-Care as a Faith Practice
September 23 – October 14 • 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Hosted by Jaime Polson and Courtney Anderson.
For questions, contact Shelli
Brudzinski at shelli@lopc.org.
Divorce Recovery
LOPC will offer a Divorce Recovery Support Group in September 2026. Look for more
details available this summer in Connections and LOPC’s Staying Connected emails.
For questions, contact Shelli Brudzinski at shelli@lopc.org.
The Fifth Girl: A Journey of
Survival and Justice
September 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for an inspiring conversation
with Sarah Collins Rudolph, who survived
the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in
September 1963. More information to come.
For questions, contact Shelli Brudzinski at shelli@lopc.org.
Deacon Connections
The Deacon Ministry consists of
LOPC members who have been
elected by the congregation to
serve as beacons of care. Deacons
offer support in the following ways:
HOME VISITS
Deacons arrange and participate
in visits to members who are
homebound, hospitalized, or in
various types of care facilities.
HOME COMMUNION
Upon request, home communion
kits are available to members not
able to attend worship services in
person.
MEAL DELIVERY
Deacons order and deliver food to
persons recuperating from illness,
those recently discharged from
the hospital, new moms, grieving
families, or anyone who might
need a meal in a time of crisis.
To request any of these services,
please leave a message on the
Deacon Line at (925) 283-8722,
ext. 274. Messages are responded
to in a timely manner daily.
Widow/
Widower’s
Grief Support
New Session Beginning
September 2026
Have you or someone you know
experienced the death of a spouse
recently or within the last few
years? Sharing our experiences
during this 10-week class is
extremely helpful to our healing.
Find hope, support and successful
ways to process this significant
life event. The course is open to
all widows and widowers. The
workbook is $20.
To register or for more
information, contact Bev Fellows
at beverlyfellows@comcast.net.
Over the past year, Bryan
Dunnewald has worked
with church leadership
to balance his growing
responsibilities at
Schoenstein and LOPC’s
growing musical needs.
After reducing his hours
this year, and in thinking about the future needs
of the church, Bryan has decided to step down
as choir conductor, and his last day at LOPC was
June 7. We are grateful for Bryan’s contributions
to our ministry; we look forward to new ways
Bryan can remain involved at LOPC, and church
leadership is already in the process of securing
his successor.
Tony Hartt, LOPC’s new Technical Director,
grew up in Southern California, and from a
very early age had a fascination with all things
technical. Years of playing drums in bands was
unknowingly giving him the technical expertise
that would lead to a long career in the technical
field. Working at various recording studios and
doing video post production, and then over a
decade working as an independent contractor for Apple Computer as
a network systems specialist, really widened the scope of his technical
abilities. A move to Wake Forest, NC offered a position as a Technical
Operations Specialist at a theater run by the Town of Wake Forest for
11 years. Now back in CA, where he belongs, Tony lives in Benicia with
Jennifer and a dog and some cats. He has three kids, Nichole, Brandon,
and Amy, and a granddaughter, Rhacel. When Tony isn’t working, he
enjoys making music, bike riding, hiking, and eating Mexican food!
LAFAYETTE-ORINDA
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
49 Knox Drive
Lafayette, CA 94549
info@lopc.org
925-283-8722
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