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Pastors

Peter Whitelock

Peter Whitelock

Head of Staff

Peter is originally from San Diego, and attended San Diego State University before transferring to the University of Colorado, Boulder. While at university, he felt a calling to ministry, and seminary training took him to Fuller Theological Seminary  and Princeton Theological Seminary for three advanced degrees, all told. He states that being a student for life would have been an attractive career path if it were an option! Anne and Peter have three adult children who have wonderful spouses: Colleen (Lupe), Evan (Kate) and Tom (Erin). In his spare time, Peter likes to read, travel and ski. His favorite place to be on vacation is still the beach, and he pursues a love for analog music in restoring vintage audio equipment and listening to vinyl.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 255
Lauren Gully

Lauren Gully

Pastor, Mission and Outreach

Lauren was drawn to LOPC because of its commitment to service and depth. She says, “LOPC has been a fabulous place to experience the community of faith!” She enjoys the variety of Mission and Spiritual Formation and teasing out the connections between these two ministries to create a deeper understanding of God’s work in the world. In her free time Lauren enjoys adventures with her husband, Eric, in their campervan, being outdoors, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends!

(925) 283-8722 ext. 225
Jaime Polson

Jaime Polson

Pastor, Care and Executive Leadership

Jaime is proud to minister to and with families at LOPC. She appreciates being part of a church community where she has the gift of supporting parents, grandparents and other adults as they nurture children and youth in their everyday lives, making faith a central part of the journey. Jaime also serves in an executive level capacity providing leadership related to church operations, planning and ministry development, in addition to serving as internal consultant to the Head of Staff. Jaime has served on numerous non-profit boards and enjoys the challenge and joy of running organizations and helping them serve their mission. She is thankful to be able to serve in this way at LOPC as well. In her free time, you will find her hanging out with her husband, children, family and friends. Jaime loves to read, volunteer, hike and spend time at her favorite Pilates studio.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 226
Chris Baldwin

Chris Baldwin

Pastor, Community and Formation

Chris arrived at LOPC in 2014 after graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education & Formation. He was the 2014 recipient of the Arthur Paul Rech Memorial Award in Theology and Pastoral Ministry and the 2013 William Tennent Scholar for Christian Education. In June 2021, Chris was ordained and installed as the Associate Pastor for Community Life where he leads the membership, fellowship, connecting, small groups ministries, and some men’s ministry offerings. For fun, Chris enjoys being active outdoors with his wife, Carly, son, Reed, and daughter, Lyla.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 110

Program and Administrative Staff

Emily Austin

Emily Austin

Children’s Ministry/Campus Operations Coordinator

Emily is excited to joyfully serve at LOPC, combining her skills as a community builder, event planner, creative thinker, and vibrant educator. She hopes to help LOPC maintain and build its outreach to the greater Lamorinda community by offering quality facility usage in a welcoming environment. Emily’s daughter participates in youth programming, so she is thrilled to be able to lend support to Children’s Ministry in addition to her Operations role. Outside of church, Emily’s family loves to see and participate in theatre, host dinner parties with friends, explore the outdoor beauty of the bay, or play with their new pup.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 260
Elizabeth Ball

Elizabeth Ball

Administrative Manager

Elizabeth feels blessed to have found such a caring, supportive and collaborative work environment at LOPC. She manages the administrative functions of staff in the areas of human resources, personnel policies/procedures, staff trainings/development, and her favorite…putting together fun staff connecting opportunities! Elizabeth also supports the Head of Staff with project management, annual planning, and implementing improvements for systems and processes related to Session, staff, and congregational events. She serves as recording secretary to the Session and is the staff support liaison for the Stewardship and Personnel Teams, and CNC. She also manages the workflow of the Communications Team. When she’s not at LOPC, Elizabeth likes to spend time with her husband, two daughters, two cats and her very energetic 2-year-old black lab, Rex. She also enjoys cooking, crafting, and traveling.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 221
Ciara Bird

Ciara Bird

Receptionist

Ciara has been a part of LOPC for many years, from working at Seedlings, kitchen staff, and running Mount Hermon childcare. She is very excited to be the receptionist for LOPC, and looks forward to being part of a fun and supportive team. For fun, Ciara likes to spend time with her husband, two teenage kids, and pups. She enjoys watching movies, cooking, baking, and Cinderella!

(925) 283-8722 ext. 223
Michelle Browning

Michelle Browning

Database Manager/Community Life Program Coordinator

Michelle and her family have been a part of LOPC for many years but finally became members in the spring of 2017. She has always believed LOPC is a special place with a wonderful community. Michelle comes from a Human Resources Management background in the tech industry with a B.S. in Psychology from Santa Clara University and loves to continuously discover new things. The opportunity to get to know the LOPC family better was a big part of her desire to join the staff, so please stop by to say hello when you have the chance!

(925) 283-8722 ext. 248
Keris Dahlkamp

Keris Dahlkamp

Director of Youth Ministry

Keris Dahlkamp has been the Youth Director here at LOPC since 2014. His love for serving youth started back in 1998 though when he volunteered at a school located in eastern Guatemala. Keris has an Associates in Arts degree from DVC, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University, a Master’s in Public Administration from DeVry University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Dubuque Theological Seminary. He loves being a leader for the youth where his passions for faith, service, and justice come together. In his spare time, Keris likes to swim, read, have ‘special time’ with his kids at local cafes, and go out to vegan dinners with his wife Rena.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 233
Bryan Dunnewald

Bryan Dunnewald

Director of Music

Bryan oversees all aspects of music at LOPC, conducts our choirs, plays the organ and piano, and arranges music for our ensembles. He works with the clergy to integrate a wide variety of music into our worship services. In addition to his work at LOPC, Bryan is the Tonal Director at Schoenstein & Co. Pipe Organ Builders, where he shapes and implements the firm’s musical direction. Before moving to California, Bryan held musical positions at Saint Mark’s Church, Philadelphia, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Marble Collegiate Church, and the Wanamaker Organ. An active composer, Bryan’s pieces have been performed regularly by renowned musicians across the country. Bryan studied at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Mannes School of Music, and Interlochen Arts Academy, earning degrees in orchestral conducting, organ, and harpsichord. Bryan and his wife Maja, a psychologist and professional singer, enjoy hiking the hills along the Carquinez Strait, relaxing on the Oregon coast, and the unlimited soup, salad, breadsticks special at Olive Garden. You can learn more about Bryan at his website, BryanDunnewald.com.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 224
David Engelbrekston

David Engelbrekston

Campus Operations Manager

Dave gives it all to God for bringing him to LOPC and for developing his skills to best serve Him. Dave oversees campus facilities and maintenance, scheduling and activities. He loves that each day is often blessed with new challenges and unique opportunities to serve this awesome community of faith. Dave’s spare time often finds him in the garden, cooking for friends, or participating in some form of musical expression.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 280
Robin Freeberg

Robin Freeberg

Associate Director of Mission Ministry

Robin feels blessed to do the work she does at LOPC. She says, “Every day offers a new challenge and an opportunity to serve Christ in a tangible and meaningful way.” She loves working with her fellow staff members, people in the congregation and the community. When not at work, she enjoys hanging with family and friends, cooking and Tae Bo. Her favorite quote is from Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Robin is inspired by these words in her daily work.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 250
Staci Johnston

Staci Johnston

Treasurer

Staci and her husband Ian were married at LOPC in 1997 and immediately joined the church when they moved to Ian’s Lafayette childhood home in 2002. Staci found personal connection and has deepened her faith through ongoing bible study groups and Sunday worship. She has served as a lay leader on numerous teams including LOGOS, Session and the Foundation. In the fall of 2020, during the pandemic, Staci felt drawn to serve as the Treasurer and share her skills as a CPA. She feels blessed to be a part of a welcoming loving community of faith and see God’s hand in LOPC’s ministries. Staci’s favorite thing to do is spend time with her family, close friends and two dogs. She is happiest outdoors, particularly if hiking or at the beach. Traveling, gardening, reading and cooking gluten free food are a few of her interests.  Staci is an avid GS Warriors fan!

(925) 283-8722 ext. 253
 Junha Kim

Junha Kim

Director of Youth Ministry

Junha was born in South Korea and raised in Los Angeles before he first moved to the Bay Area to study at UC Berkeley (Go Bears!). A few years after graduating and working at various summer camps, churches, and non-profit organizations, Jun moved to Tennessee to pursue a call into ministry and obtained his Master of Divinity, studying Black Religion and Culture. He is back in the Bay with a deep yearning to teach and learn from the youth and their impacts in God’s kin-dom. In his free time, he spends time with friends, books, and his very friendly dog, Biggie. Junha is currently studying in the doctoral program at the Graduate Theological Union and is a Candidate within the PC(USA).

(925) 283-8722
Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller

Technical Operations Manager

Kevin comes from the world of storytelling, specifically using AV equipment and all the excitement that comes with editing everything together to create a cohesive and immersive experience. He spent his college years at Academy of Art University in San Francisco studying with working professionals in the Motion Pictures and Television Department, and in 2017 he received a BFA in Directing. On his career path to becoming a filmmaker in Hollywood, with a special appreciation for the superhero genre, Kevin manages the audio and video department at LOPC.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 231
Farah Mohammadzai

Farah Mohammadzai

Accountant

Farah is excited to be a part of the welcoming community of LOPC. Her professional background in accounting, law and human resources prepared her well for her role as our LOPC Accountant. Farah enjoys working with staff, ministry teams and members. Farah and her husband recently opened a specialty café, Kabul Icy Treats, located in Fremont.  She is the mother of a charming, active son.  Farah enjoys spending time with friends and hiking in the hills with her family. She is grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate in a supportive environment. Please stop by and introduce yourself when you have time.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 229
Lexi Morrissey

Lexi Morrissey

Program Coordinator/Kurth Memorial Garden

Lexi’s family have been a part of LOPC for many years and members since 2007. Originally from New York, she moved to the Bay Area 20 years ago and, in 2010, to Orinda with her family. Her professional background has been primarily focused on event management and fundraising, and she looks forward to using that experience here in the vast number of programs LOPC supports.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 222
Coleen Moulton

Coleen Moulton

Director of Seedlings Preschool

Coleen started at LOPC as an assistant teacher in 1991. In 1995, she became director of the summer program and took over as Seedlings Director in 1999. Colleen loves the opportunities to see and interact with the children and to connect with the parents. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three daughters, Paige, Jules, and Lexi, her husband Eric, and watching sports and boating.

(925) 284-3870 ext. 238
Julie Peterson

Julie Peterson

Thursday Fellowship Coordinator

Julie has a long history with LOPC first having attended with her family, and then being confirmed and married here. After living in the Chicago suburbs for many years, she reconnected with LOPC in 2010 when she and her husband, John moved back to the Bay Area. She volunteered in several ministries before she joined the Thursday Fellowship team and became program coordinator in 2016. Julie has a passion for working with seniors. She gets great joy working with her team to create a warm welcoming community where guests and volunteers can enjoy an afternoon filled with craft activities or exercise, lunch, fellowship, and entertainment. Julie is an admitted foodie, loves genealogy, gardening and reading, and spending time at her mountain cabin with her family and grandchildren.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 281
Cathy Scheve

Cathy Scheve

Administrative Assistant

Cathy Scheve enjoys her role as Administrative Assistant to Pastor for Care and Executive Leadership, Jaime Polson. Prior to joining LOPC, Cathy held various church administrative roles, and most recently as Registrar/Instructional Aide at a Christian school In Contra Costa County. Cathy lives with her husband, Curt, in Moraga. She has two sons, Ben, who is an accountant and Matt, who is finishing his senior year at the University of Oregon (also majoring in accounting), and a very large puppy named Izzy. In her off time, she loves to read, hike, watch basketball and football, and hang out with her family. She is an avid Golden State Warrior fan. Cathy is looking forward to serving at LOPC.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 240
Brianna Stutzman

Brianna Stutzman

Music & Worship Associate

(925) 283-8722 ext. 264
Susan Wentworth

Susan Wentworth

Interim Children’s Ministry Director

Susan first joined LOPC as part of the Sunday childcare team. As the Associate Director of Preschool Ministry, she oversees Sunday programs for infants through preschoolers. She strives to ensure that all children feel part of the LOPC tribe. Her favorite part of Sundays is the musical parade. She is crazy about sports and is always plotting on how HER San Francisco Giants will win their next championship.

(925) 283-8722 ext. 237