Love Does Day: Putting Love into Action

Love Does Day is more than a single event. It’s a spark for year-round service. It’s about putting love into action in ways big and small, about connecting with our neighbors, having fun, and about experiencing firsthand how helping others can strengthen our own sense of community. Each project is a chance to meet new people, share laughter, and see how even small acts of service ripple out to make a difference in someone’s life.

Love Does Day takes place on February 22, following our second worship service, with projects both on campus and at mission partner sites across the Bay Area. Family, friends, and neighbors are all welcome to join in. Please see details below to find the perfect way to get involved!

This year, we’re expanding the impact even further by joining together with other ministry teams. Children’s Ministry, Special Needs Ministry, Youth Ministry, and Senior Adults Ministry will all be incorporating Love Does projects into their regular programming this month. It’s a beautiful way to bring the spirit of Love Does Day into the rhythms of everyday life and give participants of all ages a hands-on opportunity to serve while building connections within their ministries.

Join us, bring your energy, and let’s put love into action, together!

Show Your Love Does Spirit with Our New Logo!

We’re thrilled to unveil the newly redesigned Love Does logo, created by Emelyn Mejía of Fotokids in Guatemala! Through years of mentorship and opportunity at Fotokids, Emelyn has grown as a designer and photographer, and we’re so grateful for the creativity and heart she brought to reimagining our logo.

Celebrate Love Does and show your spirit with our new t-shirts featuring Emelyn’s design! Available in children and adult sizes for $10, these shirts are a fun way to build community and carry the message of Love Does beyond the day itself.

Act fast! To guarantee your shirt arrives in time for Love Does Day on February 22, be sure to register and purchase your t-shirts by Monday, February 9 by clicking HERE or by emailing Michelle Browning.

Volunteer Spotlight: Wayne & Mary Lou Young - Twelve Years of Cozy Service

Wayne and Mary Lou Young, both teachers passionate about the well-being of children, have been at the heart of our blanket-making tradition for over twelve years. Their journey began when they learned that mission partner Children of Faith in India could use colorful blankets for the children’s beds. Inspired by a family tradition and their daughter’s example of making fleece blankets for her own children, Wayne and Mary Lou created 140 polar fleece blankets for a high school mission trip to deliver to COF in India as part of One Sunday.

That first project sparked a long-standing tradition: every year since, Wayne and Mary Lou have led blanket-making projects for One Sunday and now Love Does, delighting in the joy of creating cozy blankets and connecting with countless volunteers of all ages. Their dedication and creativity have touched many lives and helped instill the spirit of service in our community.

Now, as they step into a well-earned retirement from blanket-making, we celebrate their incredible contribution and the lasting impact of their generosity, and we offer a heartfelt thank you to Wayne and Mary Lou for twelve years of faithful service.

Love making blankets? We’re looking for new hands to continue this tradition. If you’d like to join in, contact Michelle Browning to get involved with blanket prep for Love Does Day.

Compassion in Action: LOPC Immigrant Support and Advocacy Group

In late 2025 LOPC Mission began an effort to serve neighbors in our community who are increasingly burdened with cascading needs. The group that has formed is the Immigrant Support and Advocacy Group, split into two teams, ‘support’ and ‘advocacy’. This group is an expanded role LOPC is undertaking in support of area immigrants. Last year some members were trained and participated in the Welcome Navigators and Court Watchers Programs to assist at the Concord Immigration Court. Volunteers also handed out 7000+ Know Your Rights cards along with supplies for food banks. Believing that neighborly support such as food collection and delivery for immigrants unable to leave their homes, assisting in resourcing legal remedies, and developing a culture of compassion toward people from elsewhere in the world is what we as Christians are commanded to do, the group is growing and looking for more members.

The Advocacy Group endeavors will be in supporting organizations and actions within the Contra Costa County community that help immigrants achieve basic rights due them, particularly legal support. As such, the team is focused on developing relations with other organizations in the county that have similar objectives. Faced with a challenging array of issues, the team is further defining its roles and actions.

If you are interested in joining the group or would like to learn more, please contact Jack Champlin and/or Phil Hunter.

February 1 - February 22 - Love Does: Drive to Thrive – Supporting Youth Homes. Help local youth thrive by donating gently used, stain-free, and freshly laundered clothing, accessories, and housewares for the Youth Homes Thrift Shop. Proceeds from your donations directly support Youth Homes’ housing and mental health services for under-served youth in our community. Click HERE for a list of acceptable donations. Donations will be accepted at the Ministry Center or the Youth Homes trailer.

February 1 - February 22 - Love Does & Seedlings Diaper Drive – Support Sweet Beginnings. One in three U.S. moms experiences diaper need. With 40,000 children in Contra Costa County living in poverty, your donations help families stay healthy and stable. Donations requested: diapers (sizes 5–7), wipes, feminine hygiene pads, or formula (at least 2 months before expiration; no special medical formulas). Drop off at the Ministry Center, Seedlings, or the Plaza on Sundays.

February 6, 6:30 pm - Love Does at Friday Fun Night. As part of our Love Does Day service opportunities, we’re joining Special Needs Ministry during their regular Friday Fun Night to assemble snack bags in support of the afterschool program at Monument Crisis Center. We’re grateful for this opportunity to bring Love Does to their program!

February 9, 10:00 am on Zoom - Prayer Group for Atfaluna and Gaza. We invite you to join us monthly on Mondays in prayer for Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children and all those affected by the ongoing violence and displacement. Register to receive the Zoom link by clicking HERE. All are welcome.

February 10, 9:30 - 11:30 am, at Monument Crisis Center - Love Does: MCC Rice Bagging Opportunity. Thousands of pounds of rice are donated each month to support local families in need, and we need your help to get it ready for distribution! We’re looking for six baggers (sit and scoop) and one-two team leaders (help with adding rice to bins and moving crates) to package rice. Ages 16+, no experience needed! Sign up HERE.

February 18, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm - Love Does at Monument Crisis Center. As part of our Love Does Day service opportunities, we’re looking for eight volunteers to assist with Monument Crisis Center’s Food Distribution Program. Volunteers should be able to stand for about four hours and move throughout their shift. Thank you for helping our neighbors! Register and more information at lopc.org/lovedoes.

February 19, 11:00 am - Love Does at Thursday Fellowship. As part of our Love Does Day service opportunities, we’re joining Senior Adults Ministry at Thursday Fellowship. Mary E. Tressel from MCC’s Donor Relations will speak briefly, and then guests will assemble bingo prize bags for MCC’s Senior Moments program.

February 19, 4:30 pm - Love Does at Friendship Circle. We’re partnering with the Special Needs Ministry to bring Love Does Day to their Friendship Circle by assembling snack bags for MCC’s afterschool program. Click HERE to learn more info about this wonderful program.

February 21, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm - Love Does at the Food Bank. As part of our Love Does Day service opportunities, come join us and volunteer at the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano! By working together (up to 20 of us), we'll sort, box, and bag food to provide for those in our community facing hunger. This is an opportunity to serve those in need while building connections at LOPC. Go to lopc.org/lovedoes for more information and to register.

February 22 - Love Does Day. Our special congregational day of service brings the LOPC community together to support local mission partners across the Bay Area. Projects take place during Children’s Ministry programming at the Garden and with Youth at Youth Alive. Additional projects happen both on campus after the second worship service and off campus at various times. All ages are welcome to participate. Learn more and register at lopc.org/lovedoes.

March 1, 10:10 am, in the Oak Room. 10:10 Talk With Rev. Jorge Bautista. Drawing on his experience as a Chicano raised in San Jose by parents from Mexico, Rev. Jorge Bautista will weave together personal story, moral clarity, and a faith-rooted call to solidarity. If you are interested in a deeper understanding of why migration happens, and what communities of faith can do to respond with compassion, courage, and informed action please come.

PCUSA Action Alert: Lawless Law Enforcement and the Militarization of ICE. Affirm the constitutional and civil rights of all who reside in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, and urge action to resist the militarization of ICE and policies that harm immigrant communities. Learn more and take action!

Advocate for Peace and Aid to Gaza. LOPC remains committed to peace, justice, and the dignity of all people. As part of our faith in action, we invite you sign up for PCUSA Action Alerts to advocate for aid to Gaza and an end to U.S. military support for Israel. Let us continue to walk in compassion and work toward healing in our world.

Feed our Neighbors. Food insecurity is on the rise, and local families need our support. Donate, volunteer, or spread the word to help Monument Crisis Center and the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano provide groceries and emergency aid. Learn more and take action!

Continue the spirit of United in Prayer from wherever you are. In October, our community gathered to support mission partners through reflection and intentional prayer, and you’re invited to join in. Click HERE to access the prayer booklet.

Connecting Youth Across Borders: LOPC's Youth On Wednesdays (YOW) + Fotokids

YOW is currently partnering with Fotokids, a long-time mission partner in Guatemala that empowers youth through socio-emotional support, media-arts training, and vocational skills. Each month, YOW participants and Fotokids students explore shared themes like friendship, hope, and community in their sketchbooks, drawing, writing, collaging, or reflecting as they wish. Pages and artwork are exchanged, giving youth a creative, heartfelt way to connect across cultures and build understanding. We can’t wait to see the ideas, stories, and friendships that will grow as our youth and the Fotokids' students take part in this project.

Congo Mission Team Update

Financial Support - LOPC’s most recent donation, made in late 2025, was used to purchase 290 school desks for the Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa (CPK). CPK, one of the Presbyterian Church’s two mission partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), identified this as an immediate educational priority. CPK operates 432 schools in Kinshasa and the surrounding area. We are currently assessing where to direct our 2026 funding, guided by CPK’s priorities in education and support for vulnerable children.



Swarthmore Presbyterian Church (near Philadelphia) has contacted us about partnering in support of the DRC. They were recommended to us as a strong potential collaborator. Their Head of Global Mission was recently in the Bay Area and visited LOPC to worship with us and spend time with our team, learning about our approach to mission in the DRC. We hope they will choose to provide funding to support our Congolese partners.

Advocacy - Sue Gibbons is working with the Congo Mission Network to document the impact of lost USAID funding, with a focus on health-related effects. This information will be shared with African partners and used collaboratively to develop an advocacy strategy targeted toward Congress.

Spiritual Support - The Congo team continues to gather for a weekly 20-minute phone call to pray for the DRC, with three to six members participating each week.

LOPC may also remember Jeff and Christi Boyd, former mission co-workers who visited our church often. While the Boyds officially retired following the elimination of their PCUSA positions, they remain actively involved as counseling members of the Congo Mission Network and continue to support our Congolese partners.

Learn how caste has shaped Indian society and challenged Christian faith. In Christianity and the Caste System in India, LOPC International Scholar Rev. Joby Joy draws on theological insight and lived experience to explore how Christianity has both confronted and been shaped by the caste system. Click HERE to watch the 2/11/2026 presentation.

Explore the impact of housing insecurity on families across the U.S. The documentary, "Evicting the American Dream," produced by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Counter Stories Productions, presents the stories of children and families confronting eviction and homelessness, and explores the root causes and systemic issues that perpetuate this epidemic. Click HERE for more information, including how to watch.

Learn how the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has impacted children, families, and the medical workers who serve them. Dr. Mohammad Subeh’s interview, shared during our 10/26/2025 Reflections on Gaza event, offers firsthand insight into the realities on the ground and the resilience of the Palestinian people. Click HERE to watch.

Learn how the history of charisma shapes American culture and politics today. In her book Spellbound, historian Molly Worthen traces the magnetic leaders, from Puritans to Black nationalists to modern political figures, whose persuasive power has steered the nation. Click HERE to watch her 11/30/2025 presentation.

Reflect on the power of ordinariness in faith and leadership. In her article, Rev. Lauren Gully explores how the daily joys, struggles, and transitions of life, both ordinary and extraordinary, shape pastoral leadership and reveal God’s presence in the midst of everyday moments. Click HERE to read the full article.

February 17, 7:00 - 8:30 pm at Temple Isaiah, Lafayette - Immigration Court: An Insiders’ Perspective with Judge Polly Webber and Ali Saidi. Join Rabbi Torop in conversation with retired immigration judge Polly Webber and Ali Saidi, Director of Stand Together Contra Costa, for a timely discussion on the current state of immigration enforcement. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry. RSVP HERE by Sunday, February 15 to attend in person and learn how you can support local immigrant communities.

February 27, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm at Monument Crisis Center - Dominic's Drive 3.0. Embrace the new year with extra heart by giving to Dominic’s Blood Drive and supporting patients in need through the American Red Cross. More info HERE.

March 7, 5:30 - 10:00 pm at Blackhawk Country Club, Danville - Heartfelt Masquerade 2026. Save the date for an evening of live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing, and FUN while supporting Monument Crisis Center programs! More info HERE.

March 14, 5:30 - 10:00 pm at The Club at Castlewood, Pleasanton - 2026 18th Annual Ruby Slippers Gala. Save the date for an unforgettable evening of elegance and purpose at Hope Solutions' Fundraising Gala, Ruby Slippers – There’s No Place Like Home! More info HERE.

May 16 - 2026 Nourish Gala. Save the date for The Food Bank’s annual gala, your opportunity to gather with fellow hunger fighters, and celebrate the impact you continue to make for your neighbors facing hunger. More info HERE.

Connect with our partner liaisons to learn more about our mission partners:

Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

Sandy Ducey

Linda Groobin

Monument Crisis Center

Jim Boyd

Hope Solutions

Stephanie Bontemps

STAND! For Families Free of Violence

Steve Crocker

Trinity Center

Jim Olufson

Barb Weikert

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children

Chris Johnson

Children of Faith Missions

Ginny Ross

Congo Mission Team

Herb Long

Fotokids

Marjorie Nicolaisen

Kapnek Trust

Phil Hunter

Pastor Lauren Gully

Pastor for Mission and Outreach

Michelle Browning

Program Manager, Mission