1. Barnabas Visits – In the Bible, we learn that the name Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” We have named our visitation ministry “Barnabas” as it is a ministry of Care and Encouragement. Barnabas visitors are assigned a member of the church who may be unable to come to service or church activities. The Barnabas visitor visits about once a month in their home.

2. Cookie Bakers – Our Memorial Reception team serves cookies at every memorial reception. Every few months, they are in need in cookies. If you’d like to bake, we would love to have your name on our “Cookie bakers” list. When there is a need for cookies, you will contacted by a Deacon.

3. Helping Hands – The Deacons prepare meals every few months and keep them in a freezer here on campus. When church families are facing a transition of some kind and could use ready-made food, we deliver these meals. If you like to cook, we will keep your name on a list and when there is a need for more food, one of our deacons will contact you.

4. Monday Morning Prayer Team – The prayer team meets every Monday morning in the Conference Room in the main office building at 9:30am. The team prays for every request that is received from the Sunday morning worship services. You are welcome to join them!

5. All Together Prayer Team – This prayer team was formed from the All Together Campaign. The team members receive prayer requests via email each week.

To participate on any of these Care teams or if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Gerald Chinen at gerald@lopc.org or at 925-283-8722 x227

Disclaimer: All volunteers must have a background check provided by LOPC (Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church) before working with children, youth, and vulnerable populations at LOPC.

Sunday Mornings (10:30 – 11:00 am, on Zoom) – Volunteers to lead or assist with a small group of children by grade for children in PreK through 4th. The volunteer roles involve storytelling and/or building relationships with children.

Time commitment: 1-2 times per month.

Wednesday Afternoons (3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, on Zoom) – Volunteers to be part of a small group leadership team for 4-6 children (grades Kindergarten-4th). The small group leaders watch the Large Group videos with the kids, and then break out on Zoom to do 30 minutes of Small Group time including leading activities and sparking discussion.

Time commitment: 1.5 hours a week for a 5-week session.

Contact Lori Robinson if you have interest in serving at Lori@LOPC.org.

Have you ever wanted to help out with one of the Children or Youth events but did not have the time to commit to an ongoing program? We could use your help! Family Ministry would like to develop a list of individuals who would be willing to lend a hand for a one-time event. For more details, or to add your name to our list, please email michelle@lopc.org

1. Voyager Ships Sunday Morning Coffee Service – Voyager Ships are fellowship groups that also have a service component. On Sunday mornings, shipmates serve coffee after the worship services and are inviting you to join them as new members of LOPC! This is an opportunity to greet and get to know the LOPC community while everyone is on-campus.

Contact Ron Louis if you are interested in serving coffee – ronlouis@pacbell.net

2. All-Church Big Events Team – Help organize and throw fellowship events for the entire LOPC community! We have service opportunities available such as decorating, hospitality/welcome, ticket distribution, and more!

Contact Chris Baldwin if you have interest at chris@lopc.org, or at 925-283-8722 x110

At LOPC we strive to be a reflection of Christ’s light in the world through service.

   With school campuses closed for on-site learning in the Bay Area this fall, low-income children of color, many of whom lack access to technology and available adults at home who can teach them, will suffer the most this fall. If you have a heart for educational equity and seeing all children thrive during this difficult time, Harbor House would love to have you join their team of virtual tutors for students in first through eighth grade.

Volunteer virtual tutors are paired one-on-one with a child who they meet with 2-3 times per week for 30 minutes via Zoom or Google Hangouts. Together, the tutor and the child decide what area of academics they want to focus on, and they create engaging times of learning. Training and on-going assistance are provided. The time commitment is approximately 1-2 hours per week for one semester. Application and background check are required. To learn more about applying for this opportunity, contact Martha Allen at martha@hhministries.org.

As the new school year approaches, Hope Solutions has begun to plan for Homework Club. Although there are still uncertainties of what school will look during the 2020-2021 school year, Hope Solutions is determined to provide homework support whether it is remotely, on site, or a hybrid of both for the children in their program.

Help close the achievement gap and set students up for success by providing academic support and mentoring to students located in Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, and Bay Point. Contact Sandibel Arnold at sarnold@hopesolutions.org for questions or click here to complete an application to be considered. Volunteers will be asked to pass a TB test and Live Scan background check.

   MCC created a virtual Summer Camp experience for students this summer. The students did science experiments, yoga, cartooning, and even made a COVID time capsule! The families picked up all the supplies a few weeks before, so students had everything they needed and mom and dad didn’t have to try and figure out how to afford anything – even salt and baking soda… lab stuff! There were 63 happy kids all on ZOOM. Since this was so successful, MCC is preparing to provide online tutoring for the fall in lieu of its regular programming.

If you are interested in helping tutor students online this fall once or twice a week (MTWTh afternoons) please email Community Engagement Coordinator, Jeanette Ramirez at Volunteer@MonumentCrisisCenter.org. and let and her know you are from LOPC (a referral is necessary). In addition, please fill out the online interest form at monumentcrisiscenter.org, click “Programs” and then scroll down to “Volunteer”. Fill out the Volunteer Information Sheet and choose the age group you are interested in tutoring, your availability and that you are an LOPC referral.

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Please contact robin@lopc.org to learn more about Mission Ministry volunteer opportunities.

Please contact bobbi@lopc.org to learn more about Seedlings Ministry volunteer opportunities.

Disclaimer: All volunteers must have a background check provided by LOPC (Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church) before working with children, youth and vulnerable populations at LOPC.

The rewards of reaching out to young people with special needs are tremendous. By serving, you will experience the joy of helping them grow in their faith and experience life to the fullest by becoming a part of the LOPC community. You can make a difference in a young person’s life and help them share their gifts in our community.

1. Special Needs Buddies – LOPC offers a Buddy program for children with special needs on Sunday mornings and at special events, such as Vacation Bible Camp, One Sunday, Mount Hermon and Kids Rock. Volunteers work one-on-one with a child and accompany her/him to her/his class offering support and accommodation as needed. The role of the buddy is to simply be with a child and provide a safe and loving partnership with a child, which gives them with the opportunity to grow in faith alongside their peers.

2. Respite Night Helpers – LOPC hosts Respite Nights on Friday evenings several times throughout the year. Children with special needs and their siblings will join us for a fun evening including dinner, games, therapy animals, crafts, activities and a movie. Our volunteers will be paired one-on-one with our guests to ensure that each child’s needs are met and to develop meaningful relationships. This is part of a community collaborative with other churches and synagogues in the area. We provide at least one respite night each month for the community. LOPC is one of several members in this consortium.

3. Capernaum Young Life Club – Capernaum, a Young Life ministry partnering with LOPC, leads a weekly youth program for adolescents and young adults ages 14-22 with special needs on Monday evenings throughout the year from October through May. Our volunteers support the group leaders by helping with the crafts, games, small groups and service activities like Warm Winter Nights and One Sunday (service opportunities at LOPC). Volunteers connect with the youth and help them grow in their faith through our youth program and fellowship activities throughout the year.

Contact Michelle Browning if you have interest in serving at michelle@lopc.org or at 925-283-8722 x248

Please contact renee@lopc.org to learn more about Spiritual Formation Ministry volunteer opportunities.