BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER/
OCTOBER 2026
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 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
Special Events ..................... 2
Care ....................................... 3
Special Offering .................. 4
Mission .................................. 5
Special Needs...................... 6
Community ........................... 7
Staff Announcement ...........9
Children .................................11
Youth .....................................12
Special Interest ...................13
Quilters/Session...................14
Thursday Fellowship...........15
Worship .................................16
AI Parenting Workshop......17
Seedlings ..............................18
CONTENTS
September/October 2026
Submissions & Deadlines
Please send requests for submissions to: lexi@lopc.org
no later than October 1 for the November/December 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
A God for
All Seasons
I
am both overwhelmed and
grateful today.
Life is precarious. Yesterday,
Acalanes High School, Stanley
Intermediate, and Springhill
Elementary were on lock-down,
less than a week after school
started up for the fall, causing a
high level of anxiety for parents, students and school
staff. We felt a hard jolt from an earthquake last week.
And in the past month, multiple LOPC parents are
grieving the loss of a son and an out-of-order death.
God is with us in all our days and seasons of life.
Life is also precious. We have recently welcomed
some new babies into our church family and
celebrated two baptisms. The joyful squeals of the
Seedlings Preschool kids are being heard on our
campus again. LOPC community groups are starting
up after the summer hiatus and there is a sense of
anticipation and joy. God is with us in all our days and
seasons of life.
Yes, life is both precarious and precious. One of the
joys of being in a Christian community like LOPC is
sharing in life together — in all the ups and downs.
So today I simply want to say thank you with a heart
full of gratitude for all the ways in which you care for,
pray for, support, encourage, and rejoice with each
other. You are the people of God, who is God of all
seasons of life.
By Jane Doty MacKenzie – Pastor, Interfaith & Care
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 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.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
care
New: 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 details and registration,
visit lopc.org/registrations.
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 through
home visits, home communion, and
food delivery.
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.
DEACON
SUPPORT
Dementia Caregivers Support Group
No meetings in September
Meeting on October 7 and 21
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.
Navigating Aging With
Adult Children
Stephen Ministry Training
Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members
trained to provide confidential, one-to-one care to those
experiencing a difficult time in life, such as grief, divorce,
job loss, chronic or terminal illness. Stephen Ministers
come from all walks of life, but they share a passion for
bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a time of
need.
LOPC’s Stephen Leaders, together with those from neighboring churches, will
be conducting the requisite 50-hours of training for Stephen Minister candidates
from January – April 2027. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings via zoom
and in-person on a few Saturdays, with a long holiday break. For those wishing to
participate, an interview will be required. Your prayerful consideration on joining
this ministry would be appreciated.
To register, or for additional information, please email Heather Logan at
hct@comcast.net or Pastor Jaime Polson at jaime@lopc.org.
Widow/Widower’s Grief Support
September 23 – November 25, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
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 process. Find hope, support and successful ways to
process this significant life event. Course is open to all Widows and Widowers.
Enrollments are now being accepted for the group to start Wednesday,
September 23 – November 25, 3:00–5:00 p.m. at LOPC. Pre-Registration
required. The workbook is $20.
To register or for more information, contact
Bev Fellows at beverlyfellows@comcast.net.
Divorce Support Group
Beginning September 17
6:30–8:00 p.m.
This eight-week session will be led by
Sharon Bartlett, and through guided
discussion, the group will offer a safe
space for people navigating separation
or divorce to share experiences and
feel less alone.
Register at lopc.org/registrations.
For questions, contact Shelli
Brudzinski at shelli@lopc.org.
Join Stephanie Eukel on how an
aging adult can share their needs &
communicate with their adult children.
October 18 • More details to come.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
otoKids is about much more than just learning photography. It is
about real transformation that happens over time.
Many children who joined our program with few opportunities are now
adults making a difference in their communities. Some work in public
service and politics. Others teach at universities. Some have become
professional photographers, even serving as directors of photography
for the Presidency of Guatemala.
These stories are not exceptions. They result from years of consistent
mentorship, education, and someone believing in them long enough
for their lives to change.
None of this would be possible without long-term partners like LOPC.
We are not just supporting a program. We help shape futures that
reach families, communities, and the whole country.
Every day at FotoKids depends on meeting real and practical needs.
Fotokids’ students need something as simple and essential as a meal
when they come to class. They need safe transportation to arrive and
return home safely. They need access to tools like cameras, computers,
and printing materials so they can learn and create.
Beyond these needs, many need scholarships. Their desire to keep
studying is strong, but their financial situation is uncertain. Fotokids
also need to keep their learning spaces safe, stable, and well-equipped
so creativity and growth can continue without interruption.
special offering
More Than a Camera:
The Transforming Power of FotoKids
Here’s what your gift could provide:
•
$25 provides art supplies, photography
materials, and creative resources for
one student’s projects.
•
$75 provides one month of safe
transportation for a student living in a
high-risk neighborhood.
•
$250 provides emergency assistance
for a family facing crisis, helping a
student remain in school and in the
FotoKids program.
•
$500 supports one month of instruction
from a photography and graphic
design teacher, providing consistent
mentorship and technical training.
How to Give:
To contribute, simply write “Fotokids
Offering” on your envelope or check
memo line. To give online or learn more,
visit lopc.org/specialoffering. Thank you
for your generosity!
Donate
Now!
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
mission
Help Turn a House into a Home:
LOPC Kitchen Shower
icture moving into a new home after being homeless, but
finding the cupboards empty. This October, LOPC is working
with the Extended Family Program (EFP) to help local families get
what they need for a fresh start.
When groups like Shelter Inc., Winter Nights, or the Veterans
Administration help families find housing, EFP steps in to
fully furnish their apartments. This includes beds, linens, and
everything needed for the kitchen. EFP is able to furnish a
complete home about once a week.
How You Can Help
To support EFP, LOPC is holding a Kitchen Shower and is
collecting the following items (new or gently used items are
welcome):
•
Cookware (pots and pans, etc.)
•
Cooking utensils and necessities (spatulas, tongs,
spoons, measuring cups, potholders, etc.)
•
Glasses (not bar glasses)
•
Stainless cutlery
•
Microwave ovens
Donation bins will be available in the Ministry Center reception
area from October 4 to October 25. Items can be dropped off on
Sunday mornings or Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additional Household Goods: Have apartment-sized furniture
to donate (small dressers, dining tables and chairs, sofas and
chairs)? Contact Randi Long at hrlong13@sbcglobal.net to
arrange a pickup, or drop off on Tuesday mornings from 10:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church
(1543 Sunnyvale Ave).
Thank you for helping us welcome our neighbors home with
kindness and respect.
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
at michelle@lopc.org.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
special needs
Love Does: Fall into Action
Putting love into action, alongside our partners, where they are.
his fall, Love Does is heading out into the community, and we
would love for you to join us. We are offering opportunities to
serve with our mission partners, meeting them where they are and
helping them with the work they are already doing. We have been
doing this regularly with partners like the Monument Crisis Center
and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and this fall, we are
expanding those opportunities to more of our mission partners and
friends.
The hope isn’t simply to check projects off a list. It’s to help you find
a place where you want to keep showing up. By serving regularly,
you can build relationships with our partners, make a real difference
in their work, and connect with other LOPC members along the way.
We will also have Love Does projects in collaboration with Senior
Adults, Thursday Fellowship, Youth, and Children’s Ministry. Look for
more details in each ministry’s usual updates and programs.
Service Opportunities. This is just a sampling of what’s coming.
•
September 9, 8:30–10:30 a.m. – Hope Solutions / El Portal
Place Coffee & Pastry Social Hour (5–7 people)
•
September 16, 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Monument Crisis Center
Food Distribution (6 people)
•
September 17, 8:15–10:30 a.m. – Monument Crisis Center
Senior Moments (6 people)
•
September 19, 9:00–11:00 a.m. – White Pony Express (15
people)
•
September 26, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Habitat for Humanity,
Esperanza Place in Walnut Creek (15 people)
Go where the need is. Serve alongside others.
Find your place to make a difference.
Register and learn more at lopc.org/lovedoes.
Questions? Contact Michelle Browning at michelle@lopc.org.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
community
Book Groups
Join the fellowship of one of LOPC’s book groups!
Fourth Monday Book Group
No meeting in September.
October 26 at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom
The Watchmaker’s Daughter: The True Story of WWII
Heroine Corrie ten Boom by Larry Loftis
To join the Monday book group, please contact
Leslie Finertie at leslie-finertie@comcast.net.
Fourth Friday Book Group
September 25 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
October 23 at 4:00 p.m. in person in the Oak Room.
Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love: A Novel by
Marianne Cronin.
To join the Friday book group, please contact
Catherine Coleman at awaitingword@gmail.com.
Young Families Connect
September 13, October 1,
November 8, December 13
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.
Ministry Fair Thank You
A Joyful Day of Inspiration,
Connection, and Community
On Sunday, August 30, community members
gathered on the plaza for LOPC’s annual
Ministry Fair. Guests enjoyed the opportunity
to learn about LOPC programs, discover
ways to get involved, and connect with our
community.
Many ministries were represented across six
main areas of church life: Worship, Mission,
Formation, Fellowship, Caring, Family.
We are grateful to the ministry leaders who
hosted tables and generously shared their
time, energy, and passion, as well as to
everyone whose ongoing dedication makes
these programs possible throughout the year.
Thank you to all who joined us for this joyful
and inspiring day. All are welcome at LOPC.
There is a place for everyone, and we look
forward to serving together.
Special thanks to Pastor Chris Baldwin and
Gina Hageboeck for coordinating the event
and to our dedicated volunteers for helping
create a festive event.
Let’s Greet Each
Other by Name!
Do you have a name tag? If so, please
wear it when you are here.
Need one? Scan the QR code or visit
lopc.org/nametag to request yours.
Wearing our name tags makes it easier to
connect, welcome others, and learn new
names at LOPC.
A special thank-you to LOPC member
Norman Eggen, who has offered to host a
table on the plaza after worship. Stop by
his table to sign up.
Questions? Contact gina@lopc.org.
Men’s Groups
Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Fridays, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
All guys are welcome on Monday nights or
Friday mornings for study, social hangouts, and
service opportunities. Come get connected
with other guys and grow in your faith.
For more information, contact
Pastor Chris Baldwin at chris@lopc.org
about Mondays and Jeff Eyet at
jeff.eyet@gmail.com about Fridays.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
New Member Class
Sunday, October 18 • 11:45 a.m.–1:15 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 have been attending for a while or are just
beginning your journey, this is a great way to take the
next step.
Register online: lopc.org/registrations. Childcare is available for children ages
2 and older. Please include the number of children needing childcare on the
registration form by Monday, October 12.
Questions? Contact Pastor Chris Baldwin at chris@lopc.org.
We look forward to getting to know you!
Fall Book Study: The Lord and His Prayer
September 13 – October 11
Kick off the fall program year by going deeper—together.
Our sermon series turns to the words Jesus himself taught
us to pray. Join a small group to walk through N. T. Wright’s
The Lord and His Prayer alongside the weekend messages
and discover how these ancient words can reshape your
everyday faith.
Over five weeks, you’ll:
•
Meet Jesus in his own context—exploring his life and ministry through a
historian’s eye
•
Unpack the Lord’s Prayer line by line—and see how it still speaks directly
into our lives
•
Deepen your own prayer life—with practices you can carry long after the
study ends
•
Connect with others—because faith grows best in community, not isolation
No experience needed. No perfect prayer life required. Just come as you are,
open the book, and see where the conversation takes you.
Sign up today at lopc.org/registrations. Groups are forming now, and there’s
a seat with your name on it. For more information contact chris@lopc.org.
Save the Date: Jingle Bell Jamboree!
Sunday, December 6 • 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Join us in celebrating the joy of the Christmas season at
LOPC’s Jingle Bell Jamboree, a free, festive event for all ages!
Enjoy holiday snacks and treats, a Christmas sing-along,
cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, games, and more.
All are welcome! Invite your family, friends, and
neighbors to join us for this joyful holiday celebration.
Questions? Contact gina@lopc.org.
JOIN A
COMMUNITY
GROUP
AT LOPC!
Connect. Grow. Belong.
Imagine finding that perfect
group where you feel instantly
at home—sharing laughs with
fellow creatives, navigating
life’s stages with understanding
peers, or diving into meaningful
conversations.
At LOPC, that is not just a
dream; it is a reality through our
Community Groups! With more
than 25 groups to choose from,
there are plenty of opportunities
to spark your curiosity and
connect with others.
From the satisfying rhythm
of knitting and quilting to
invigorating hikes, insightful book
clubs, enriching Bible studies,
and supportive groups for men,
women, and families at every
stage—your community is here.
Don’t just wonder—discover!
Find your connection
or start a group at
lopc.org/groups, or reach out to
communitygroups@lopc.org.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
10
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
special announcement
Dear LOPC Family,
After twelve years as one of your pastors, it is
difficult to know how to put into words what this
community has meant to me.
So much of my life has happened alongside you.
You have walked with me through some of my
greatest joys and some of my hardest seasons. You
have celebrated milestones with our family, welcomed
and loved our children, prayed for us, cared for us, and allowed me
the extraordinary privilege of being present for so many of the sacred
moments in your lives as well. I will always be deeply grateful for the
ways you have loved me and my family.
This fall, our family will be moving to Santa Barbara, where Eric’s work
is based and where my mom will also be moving. It feels like the right
next step for our family and will give me the chance, especially while our
children are little, to be more present with them. We are excited for this
new season, even as it is incredibly hard to say goodbye to a community
that has meant so much to us.
There is something unique about being a pastor. We are invited into
people’s lives in ways that are both ordinary and profound—to walk
alongside you through celebrations and losses, questions and changes,
and so many of the moments that make up a life. But what I don’t think I
fully understood when I became a pastor is how deeply the people you
serve become a part of your own life, too.
That is what makes leaving so hard. More than a place or a role, I am
leaving all of you—the people of LOPC and this community that I have
come to know and love over these twelve years. You have left a deep
impression on me, and I know I will carry so much of what you have
taught me into whatever comes next.
I don’t know exactly what that next chapter will look like. I know that I
continue to love the church, and I hope that, in time, I will find new ways
to use the gifts God has given me in service to it. One unexpected gift
of the last several years has been discovering, through my doctoral
work, how much I love writing. Writing has become another way for me
to wrestle with faith, ask honest questions, and try to put words around
the complicated and beautiful experience of life with God. I hope to
make more room for that work in the season ahead—and I hope it might
become one way for our paths to continue to cross.
Mostly, though, I leave with an enormous amount of gratitude. Twelve
years is a long time to belong to a community. You have shaped me as a
pastor, a person, a wife, a mother, and a person of faith. I can only hope
that in these years I have blessed this church even a fraction as much as
you have blessed me.
I will always be grateful for the privilege of being your pastor and for
these twelve years we have shared. Thank you for trusting me, for
growing alongside me, for letting me into your lives, and for loving my
family so well.
With deep gratitude and love,
Lauren Gully
Dear LOPC Members
and Friends,
We are so fortunate
to have had Pastor
Lauren Gully serve
our community for the
past 12 years. In 2015,
fresh out of Princeton
Theological Seminary, she
answered the call to serve as Associate
Pastor at LOPC. From the beginning, she
brought to LOPC a deep sense of faith,
compassion, and creativity. Lauren devoted
herself to helping us build our mission and
formation ministries, often finding creative
ways to bring the two together through
community practices.
Lauren has also demonstrated an
exemplary commitment to academic
excellence in the practice of ministry,
completing her doctorate at Duke Divinity
School this past year. We are so proud of
this accomplishment and grateful for the
knowledge, wisdom, and perspective she
has brought to our ministry through her
work there.
As we all know, though, life is not static,
and seasons change. Lauren has recently
come to the realization that the next
season of life will be best served by
relocating to Southern California, with Eric,
and their children, Zoey and Zander. We
had the special joy of witnessing Lauren
and Eric come together during her time
with us and of celebrating the beginning of
their beautiful family.
While we will miss her greatly, we are
grateful for her years of service at LOPC
and the many ways she has touched our
lives.
Lauren, we send you, Eric, Zoey, and
Zander forward with our love, our
gratitude, and our prayers. May God
bless your family richly in this new season
and guide you toward the ministry and
community that awaits you.
With appreciation,
Peter Whitelock
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
11
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
Kids Helping Kids
This school year, Children’s
Ministry is excited to partner
with our Mission Team to
continue Kids Helping Kids—
our monthly opportunity for
elementary-aged children
to put their faith into action
through hands-on service.
Beginning Sunday,
September 20, as part
of Love Does: Fall in Action, kids will gather to complete meaningful service
projects that make a real difference in the lives of others. Throughout the year,
we’ll support local mission partners such as Monument Crisis Center, Hope
Solutions, and STAND in addition to working with possible international efforts
such as Kapnek. We’ll also be assembling care packages for LOPC members
who are new college students, creating meal kits, decorating collection boxes
for holiday food drives, and participating in other projects designed to share
God’s love in practical ways.
Our hope is that Kids Helping Kids will be a place where our LOPC kids can
deepen friendships, have fun together, and discover the joy of serving others.
As they work side by side, they’ll learn that even small hands can make a big
impact when guided by the love and compassion Jesus taught us to show.
Want to learn more? Stop by the Children’s Ministry table at the
Ministry Fair on August 30 to pick up our fall calendar. You’ll find
details about Kids Helping Kids, Children’s Choir, and all of the exciting
opportunities planned for children and families this fall. We can’t wait to
serve alongside your family!
Young Adult Community Group
September 14, 28 • October 12, 26
Meet together with other young adults for
dinner and discussion. We meet bi-monthly
on Monday nights in the Fireside Room. We
also like to go to sporting events, nature
hikes, and host game nights.
For more information contact
Cynthia or Aeden.
Launch: High School
Juniors & Seniors
The last couple years of high school are a
whirlwind of activities that are easy to get
lost in. The greatest question for everyone
involved is, “what’s next?” Starting in
September, HS juniors and seniors are
invited to join a special small group just
for juniors and seniors. We’ll discuss
what’s next and explore topics that relate
to adulthood. This small group helps to
address the anxiety many students feel as
they prepare to graduate. Meets once a
month for lunch on Sunday after worship.
If you’d like to sign up, contact Cynthia.
Email Emily Austin:
emily@lopc.org or
Fall Confirmation Class
6 classes • September 13 – October 18
9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Our faith formation class for 8th – 12th
graders in room 201. Registration required.
For more information contact Cynthia.
Susan Wentworth:
susan@lopc.org.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
12
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
Neon Night: YOW &
BTW: October 28
Come dressed up in a costume
and play hilarious games with
friends. Prizes for best costumes!
Kids Fest Service-
Learning Program
September 19 & October 10
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join us for Kids Fest, a youth service
program in support of Hope Solutions!
Throughout the year, middle and high
school students will have the opportunity
to connect with local youth at the Hope
Solutions community center in Concord.
Activities include fun games, arts and
crafts, and lunch.
Drop-off and pick-up will be at LOPC.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to
participate (though not required), and
we will also need volunteers to help with
carpooling.
Advance registration is requested
at lopc.org/registrations. Contact
Michelle Browning for more
information at michelle@lopc.org.
Guatemala Service-
Learning Info Meeting
Save The Date: October 21
Contact Cynthia Purvis:
cynthia@lopc.org
or Aeden Barnett:
aeden@lopc.org.
@lopc_youth
Youth Alive!
Youth Alive, our Sunday
morning youth Bible study for
5th – 8th graders, at 10:30 a.m.
in CLC Room 201.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to
check out Youth Alive, come join
us! 5th – 8th graders are welcome
to participate in this hour-long
program each Sunday during
the 10:30 a.m. worship service
throughout the school year.
BTW By the Way
Wednesdays, 7:15 – 9:00 p.m.
Optional pizza dinner at 7:15 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, &
trust. BTW meets on Wednesdays through May.
YOW Youth on Wednesday
Wednesdays, 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 6:00 – 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 & salad dinner for $5 (cash or
check) at 5:30 p.m. Together, we discuss
topics such as discovering God at work
in the world, growing 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. The program runs through
May. No registration is required.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
13
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
eff Eyet and his family have a nickname for their Lafayette
home: the treehouse.
Tucked into the oaks of Reliez Valley overlooking Briones,
the hillside home reflects what Jeff loves about Lafayette.
“We fall asleep to crickets and wake up to birds,” he says.
“That’s why we call it the treehouse.”
Jeff and his wife, Janelle, moved there in 2017 after
renovating the 1970s-era house into their forever home.
Today, life revolves around family. Their daughter, Harper,
a rising seventh-grader at Stanley, spends weekends
riding and competing as a horse jumper around Northern
California. At home, they raise chickens and share goats with
neighbors.
Even with busy schedules, one tradition remains constant:
“We come together every night at the dinner table,” Jeff
says.
That sense of connection extends beyond their home. Jeff
and Janelle joined Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
(LOPC) before Harper was born and quickly found more than
a place to attend on Sundays. They found a community.
Over the years, Jeff has served in leadership roles and
supported programs focused on faith and relationships. He
started Men’s Friday Fellowship after recognizing a growing
issue among older men: loneliness.
The issue hit close to home. Jeff’s father lived with
Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, and Jeff
watched faith become central to his perseverance. “I knew
that if he were healthy, he would be leading a group at his
own church to address exactly this,” Jeff says.
What began as a monthly gathering has evolved into a
weekly tradition where men share life’s highs and lows,
discuss faith, and enjoy conversations about everything
from sports to cars.
Jeff realized the group had become meaningful when men
from a generation where “you don’t cry and you don’t talk”
began opening up and forming friendships. He jokingly calls
it “the millennial club” because there’s “about a thousand
years of wisdom and experience around the table.”
Professionally, Jeff teaches AI, applied innovation, and
entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley. After earning his MBA
from Haas in 2014, he worked in the solar energy industry
before finding his way back to his true passion: helping
others reach their “aha” moments. “Seeing those lightbulb
moments in students is what brings me the greatest joy,” he
says.
Jeff also hosts the Big Strategy Podcast, where he talks
with leaders about navigating change without losing what
makes us human. His philosophy is “human-centered
AI” — keeping humans in the loop — and he teaches it to
everyone from middle schoolers to senior executives. “AI
should not replace people,” he says. “It should amplify our
creativity, curiosity, and ingenuity so we can have a greater
impact in our professional and community lives.”
After nearly a decade in Lafayette, what stands out most
to Jeff is what the community has given back to his family:
friendships, fellowship, and people who continue to show
up for one another. LOPC has been “the through-line”
through it all.
“We’re grateful,” he says. “And we’re not going anywhere.”
Photo by Craig Isaacs, BlueGoo Photography.
Rooted In Connection
as seen in the July issue
of Greet Lafayette
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
14
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
Attention Quilters and Quilt-Lovers!
he annual Quilt Display is scheduled this Fall for Sunday,
November 1, through Sunday, November 22.
This display is always warmly welcomed by the Congregation.
Remember the size and sleeve requirements:
•
Nothing is too small.
•
The maximum length quilt we can hang is 80”.
•
Each quilt must have a four-inch sleeve on the upper
back (big enough to slide a 12-oz soda can through – may
be permanent or temporary).
Please bring your quilt and its story to the LOPC Ministry
Center between Sunday, October 18 and Sunday, October
25. (No late donations, please.)
For questions, contact Nancy Henderson
at nghenderson@comcast.net.
Celebrating 25 Years of
the LOPCided Quilters!
By Louise Tanno, LOPC Member
he LOPCided Quilters are celebrating 25 years! The
group was started in 2001 to make quilts for the children
at Bay Area Crisis Nursery.
Over time we have donated to over a dozen organizations
including Winter Nights Shelter, STAND, Hope Solutions,
Primera Presbyterian and Harbor House Ministries in
Oakland.
Quilts were provided to some of the victims from the Camp
Fire (Paradise 2018) and CZU Fire (Santa Cruz 2020).
Our primary focus at this time is the Hillcrest Congregational
Church Bright Beginnings Layette Project where quilts
are given to the mothers of all babies who are born at
the County Hospital in Martinez. We also provide quilts to
Walnut Creek Methodist Church for their Extended Families
Program. They provide furniture and household items for
previously unhoused families when they move into an
apartment. We hope a lap quilt is an added touch that brings
joy to these individuals.
The first year 24 quilts were donated to the Crisis Nursery.
As the group grew so did the donations. The total number of
quilts donated over the past 25 years is over 3,000. Thank
you to ALL of the dedicated ladies who have made this
astonishing number possible!
From the beginning, the group consisted of LOPC members
and other quilters from the community. The group started
with 6 members and at present our group numbers 25.
We meet once a week for fellowship, sewing and sharing. We
can be found in CLC Room 201 on Mondays, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact Louise Tanno
at louisetanno@gmail.com.
session
quilters
ession gathered on August 18 following a summer break
in July. Linus Eukel, clerk of session, welcomed elders and
reminded them that there will be a congregational meeting on
Sunday, September 27 in the sanctuary following the second
worship service. At this meeting members will vote to approve
the Church Nominating Committee’s (CNC) nominations for
leadership positions beginning January 1, 2027 for elder,
deacon, CNC and Foundation Trustees. Linus then invited
clergy and elders who attended the San Francisco Presbytery
meeting on August 11 in Pleasanton. The Bills and Overtures
Committee, Finance and Property Oversight Committee, and
Standing Rules Implementation Team all gave reports, in
addition to the SF Presbytery’s leadership team. Rev. Peter
Report on August Session Meeting
Whitelock shared exciting news that LOPC will once again
host Dr. Heath Carter from Princeton Theological Seminary
on September 20. Dr. Carter will preach during worship
followed by a special presentation on Let your Light Shine:
Christian Faith and the Way Forward Through Tumultuous
Times. Peter also provided updates on the current work of
our strategic planning team and their work on developing
an actionable plan for ministry based on the results of our
three recent task force reports that focused on relational
groups, mental health and loneliness, and family ministry.
Lastly, the Operations Team provided elders with an
update on recent campus operations and activities as we
enter into the busy fall season.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
15
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
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
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
hursday Fellowship’s calendar
year runs from early September
until June, with two extra summer
meetings. On July 30, we were
thrilled to gather for fun and
fellowship and to celebrate our
nine July birthday recipients. In the
morning, we all participated in chair
exercises led by our very own Gillian
Roebuck. Everyone brought their
own lunch and were provided special
treats plus a birthday goody bag. We
had the special honor of celebrating
Frank Grannis who turned 102 years
old. Frank is a volunteer for Thursday
Fellowship as our morning and
lunchtime pianist. He plays by ear and
has memorized over 1500 pieces.
He has even ventured into learning
some opera pieces this summer. He
is a vital part of Thursday Fellowship
and is an inspiration to all of us. Cris
Hussey performed in the afternoon,
and we did not want the program to
end due to her energetic personality
and soulful vocals. Everyone was so
happy to be in attendance and catch
up with each other.
In August, we gathered in the
morning for a special snack before
our morning activities, and were
thrilled with the performance of
guitarist Jean-Paul Buongiorno in
the afternoon. We celebrated the
August birthdays with cupcakes and
a short interview with each of the
birthday recipients. We had a full
house, and it was a memorable day.
We had several first-time guests who
remarked, “Thank you so very much
for a warm welcome to Thursday
Fellowship. We thoroughly enjoyed
the people, program, and yummy
goodies. Every part exceeded
expectations!” We strive for all our
guests to feel this when they attend.
Come and see for yourself!
We all look forward to being
together for our weekly gatherings
starting Thursday, September
10, 2026. Below are our program
highlights for September and
October.
•
9/10: Syria T Berry,
Bay Area performer
•
9/17: Michael and John Kistner
sing a long
•
9/24: Frederick Hodges,
piano accompaniment to
old time silent movies
•
10/1: Cris Hussey, Vocalist
•
10/8: Sue Farmer, pianist
•
10/15: Mike and John Kistner
•
10/22: TBA
•
10/29: Halloween Celebration
Our schedule daily 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
•
12:45 p.m. Entertainment
•
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 Thursday Fellowship would not
exist. Come and join us starting
September 10, 2026,
11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
in Fellowship Hall.
Questions? Contact
Julie Peterson at
julie@lopc.org for
more information.
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
16
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
worship
Christmas Concerts
December 12 & 13 at 4:00 p.m.
Fall Sermon Series
September 13 – October 4: Pray Like This:
Living The Prayer of Jesus in Perilous Times
We live in a time of substantial turmoil and transition and are
facing the future with diminished levels of confidence. It may
seem that focusing on prayer in days like these is mere escapism,
but the prayer Jesus gave his disciples is a powerful tool to
produce stability in our lives and hope for the future. It sets the
agenda for life that is both joyous and resilient, as Jesus works
through this prayer to lead us more deeply into the reign of God.
9/13: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Matthew 6:9
9/20: Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven. Matthew 6:10
Heath Carter from Princeton Seminary will preach on 9/20.
9/27: Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
10/4: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us
from the evil one. Matthew 6:12-13
Princeton Seminar Series
Are you looking for opportunities to deepen your
engagement with theology, ethics, Scripture,
literature, and the intersection of faith and current
events? If so, check out the Princeton Seminar
Series, led by esteemed Princeton Theological
Seminary faculty and rooted in their research
and writing. These online courses are available
to anyone. Upcoming offerings, include “Paul’s
Letter to the Romans” and “For Such a Time as
This: Theological Grounding for Our Current
Moment.” These courses explore theological texts,
concepts, and contemporary questions in a format
that cultivates thoughtful learning, meaningful
conversation, and genuine community.
Visit tinyurl.com/ptsseminars.
Congregational Meeting
September 27 following
Worship in the Sanctuary
Please join us for this special meeting during
which members will vote to approve the slate of
nominees for elder, deacon, CNC, and Foundation
positions with terms beginning January 1, 2027 as
presented by the Church Nominating Committee.
Visit lopc.org/cnc to read about
each of the nominees.
Save The Dates
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
17
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
AI Parenting Workshop Series
October 6, 13, and 20 • 6:30–8:00 p.m. at LOPC
Three Tuesday nights with Jeff Eyet, UC Berkeley lecturer
and co-founder of the Berkeley Innovation Group.
Your teenager is already using AI. The question is whether
they’re calling the shots or just accepting the first response
they get.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania ran a study with
nearly a thousand high school math students, published last
year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
One group got open access to ChatGPT during practice.
Their practice scores jumped 48 percent. Then the tool was
taken away for the exam, and that same group scored 17
percent worse than the students who never touched it. A
second group used a version built with safeguards. They
came out even with the students who never used AI at all.
Same tool. Same kids. Different result, based on how it got
used. And here’s the part that got me: neither group could
tell. The kids who did worse didn’t think they’d learned less.
The kids who broke even thought they’d done better.
Try this at dinner tonight. Ask your kid what the AI got wrong,
and how they caught it. If the answer is “nothing,” nobody’s
checking. That’s the whole problem in one question, and we
spend three weeks on it.
Each workshop stands on its own and is limited to 50
attendees. Come to one or come to all three.
Oct 6. The homework looks better. That doesn’t mean
they learned it. How to tell the difference, and what
to ask when you can’t. That study was math, where an
answer is right or wrong. Nobody’s run it on essays yet,
and essays are where most of our kids are using this.
Oct 13. When everybody uses the same tool,
everybody’s work starts to look the same. So, what still
makes your kid stand out? We’ll also get into agents,
which are AI tools that go do things instead of just
answering. It’s a different conversation when the AI can
take actions on your behalf.
Oct 20. What to actually do about it at home. The
guardrails in that Penn study were built into the software
by researchers. You can’t install those. But you can set
rules that work the same way. That’s this night. Specific
rules, by age, that you can hold to on a school night.
On ages. Middle school and high school aren’t the
same conversation. A 7th grader mostly shouldn’t
be leaning on this stuff yet. A high school senior’s
admissions essays are being read by admissions
officers who can tell. Every night splits time between
both, and there’s time at the end for questions about
your child’s situation specifically.
The format is short talks paired with table discussions.
Bring your questions and an open mind.
Register at lopc.org/registrations.
Register
Here!
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
18
A welcoming and loving community of faith that learns, grows, and serves together
seedlings
Summer at Seedlings
What an incredible summer we’ve had at Seedlings!
Our campus was filled with laughter, creativity,
and adventure as children enjoyed special events,
outdoor play, and time with friends. From our annual
puppet show, playground scavenger hunt, pirate
day, and a visit from Fur, Scales & Tails, every week
brought new opportunities to learn, explore, and play.
It was a joy watching friendships grow and seeing so
many smiling faces throughout the summer camp.
A New School Year Begins
In mid-August, we are excited to welcome both
returning and new families as we kick off another
wonderful school year at Seedlings. Our teachers
have been busy preparing their classrooms, and we
look forward to a year filled with learning, discovery
and plenty of joyful moments. We can’t wait to see all
that this school year has in store!
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 17 • 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Planning is already underway for one of our favorite
Seedlings traditions—our annual Trunk or Treat
celebration this October! We look forward to bringing
our community together for a day of festive fun and
can’t wait to share more details and opportunities to
get involved in the coming weeks.
Here’s to a fantastic start to the new school year!
Steven Hall: New LOPC
Director of Music & Worship
We are pleased to announce that Steven
Hall will be LOPC’s new Director of Music
& Worship. Our search team spent this past
summer evaluating the current leadership
model and how we can best continue to
pursue our vision for blended worship at the
highest level. Our team unanimously agreed that
Steven has the gifts, call and vision our church needs to move
forward. Since January of this year, he has served LOPC in a part-
time role providing praise and worship leadership with the band.
All the while we knew he had extensive training and leadership
experience in choral ministry, even directing our choir as a guest
conductor, and he will now be able to share these gifts with us
more fully. Steven has become a highly valued member of our
staff team already, and this expanded position will help us develop
ministry with music and worship in exciting and innovative ways.
staff announcements
Aeden Barnett is a graduate of
Loyola University Maryland,
where he received a B.A.
in Theology and Political
Science. Born and raised as a
pastor’s kid on the East Coast,
he has worked as Program
Director and Counselor at Pilgrim
Pines Camp and Retreat Center, a
Christian youth camp in New Hampshire. It was
there that Aeden’s passion for helping youth find
their place in God’s story first began. Dedicated to
a ministry of justice rooted in radical love, Aeden
is committed to cultivating wholeness in all the
communities to which he belongs. In his free time,
Aeden can be found reading with a coffee and his
cat, Fig, running in the woods, or playing guitar. He
looks forward to joining the work that God is doing
in and through the youth at LOPC.
LAFAYETTE-ORINDA
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
49 Knox Drive
Lafayette, CA 94549
info@lopc.org
925-283-8722
Return Service Requested
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U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
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important
Dated Material
PLEASE DELIVER
BEFORE 9/1/26
Thank you!
Watch all
the fun we
had last
year!