Hello friends,

I’ve had the joy of being on staff here since 2018, and in January, I stepped into a new role as Program Manager, Mission. I'm truly grateful for this opportunity and for the chance to work alongside so many of you who put your faith into action through service and advocacy.

Let’s be honest: the world feels heavy right now. Conflict, injustice, division – it’s a lot to carry. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even helpless. However, I believe we could find some peace not by ignoring the hard things but by facing them together in community, faith, and action.

At its core, mission is about love in action. That means showing up for others in their struggles and hopes, serving with humility, and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued. I see that spirit of mission alive at LOPC every day in all the ways we care for neighbors, welcome strangers, and respond with compassion. Let’s keep putting this love into action by serving others and standing up for what’s right, with open hearts and willing hands.

I’m grateful to be part of this work with you, and hopeful for the difference we’ll make together. If you feel called to get involved, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to me or anyone on our Mission team to learn more.

Blessings, Michelle Browning

Understanding Immigration: Facts, Challenges, and Ways to Support

“Immigrants” and “ICE” are in the news almost every day. ICE arrests and removals, from the streets, places of worship, or workplaces, are often illegal, though not always. Are all immigrants breaking laws or committing serious crimes? Absolutely not. It can be hard to know what’s accurate and what’s not.

Many heard former immigration attorney Mindy Phillips speak on June 1st at 11:11, where she addressed the current crisis and challenges faced by immigrants. You can watch her full presentation here:

Over $32,000 Raised - Thank you!

We are so grateful for the way our community stepped up during our June special offering, Fund the Gap. Because of your generosity, we raised over $32,000 to support our partners: STAND!, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, and Kapnek. Thank you for being a church that shows up, gives generously, and puts faith into action.

Thank You for Your Generous Support of Trinity Center!

We want to thank everyone who contributed to our recent clothing drive for Trinity Center. Your kindness made a huge impact - so many clothes were donated that Trinity Center had to stop accepting donations for three weeks. The donated items will be given to people in need throughout Contra Costa County. We are grateful for our wonderful community and look forward to hosting another drive in late fall or winter. Stay tuned for updates!

Fotokids and the Bronx Documentary Center

Ricardo Partita, Youth Education Manager at Bronx Documentary Center (BDC), recently spent time with Fotokids. Together, BDC and Fotokids are connecting and collaborating across borders through the power of photography and education, bridging communities and inspiring youth worldwide. Click the photo below to open a short video on Fotokid's Instagram page.

A New Kitchen and Dining Hall for Children of Faith in India

Proper nutrition for growing children is a priority at Children of Faith. Recently mealtimes at our home have been carried out under challenging conditions. The cooking area is cramped, poorly ventilated, and ill-equipped to meet the daily needs of our 120 growing children. Meals have been prepared over open flames, and children often ate outside due to a lack of proper dining space. It was functional, but far from ideal.

Rosie and Anand Thandu, co-founders of Children of Faith dreamed of more, a space where meals weren’t just about sustenance, but also about community, warmth, and dignity. Last year at the celebration for the 20th Anniversary of Children of Faith this dream became a reality! Generous supporters, including many from LOPC, raised the funds to build a new, modern kitchen and spacious dining Hall for our children. Construction began in 2024.

The new kitchen will feature modern cooking facilities, ample storage, separate hand washing and dishwashing facilities and up-to-date cooking equipment. The adjoining dining hall will allow children to gather and eat together. With sturdy tables, benches, and colorful walls adorned with artwork by the children themselves, the space will exude warmth and belonging.

This project is about much more than bricks and mortar. It’s about restoring a basic right: access to healthy food in a safe and welcoming environment. It’s about teaching children the importance of shared meals, hygiene, and nutrition. It’s about creating memories - laughter over lunch, birthday celebrations, quiet conversations after school. For the children, many of whom come from backgrounds of neglect or hardship, this new space will represent care, consistency, and home. 

Children of Faith hopes to complete and furnish the new Kitchen/Dining Hall this fall. For more information, and photos and updates on this project, click HERE to visit the Children of Faith website.

Strengthening Ties: LOPC's Evolving Mission in the Congo

Support for education and trauma healing, two key areas LOPC has prioritized, remains deeply needed, likely more than ever, especially given the significant reduction in USAID funding. (The DRC was the largest recipient of USAID funds in 2024.)

Presbyterian Church (USA), LOPC’s mission partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is undergoing a significant reorganization, primarily due to financial pressures from declining church attendance. As a result, mission co-workers are no longer serving international partners. As noted in the previous Mission newsletter, the co-workers the LOPC Congo Mission team worked with, the Boyds, have now retired. The Boyds played a key role in facilitating LOPC’s support for two Congolese partners: CPC (Congolese Presbyterian Church) and CPK (Congolese Presbyterian Church of Kinshasa, the capital). Together, these churches operate close to 1,300 nursery, primary, and secondary schools. Despite the changes, PCUSA remains committed to global mission, but is adopting a new model to support its partners.

The main outcome of these changes is that the LOPC Congo Mission team will now work directly with the two Congolese Presbyterian partners. While this presents some challenges (French is the principal language in the DRC), it also opens up new opportunities for deeper connection. We’ve recently heard directly from the leaders of our Congolese partners, thanking LOPC for funding the Vulnerable Children Ministry (LOPC’s Easter offering) and for assistance provided to victims of severe flooding in Kinshasa.

The Congo Mission team looks forward to working more directly with CPC and CPK, continuing LOPC’s long-standing commitment to supporting the people of the DRC.

To contribute information to this monthly newsletter, please email Michelle Browning.

LOPC's Mission Ministry welcomes your financial support! Donations help fund hands-on service projects like assembling backpacks, clothing, and food kits for those in need. Click HERE to contribute and select the “love does” fund. Thank you in advance for your donation!