The Buzz newsletter | Updated Weekly


Food Distribution every first Friday

Food Distribution this Friday

Our monthly breakfast ministry and food distribution is this Friday June 5. Clients are served starting at 9:00 AM. Additional volunteers are always welcome; if you can help out please contact us and let the church office know. 

 

Given the current limitations on SNAP funding, we do anticipate running out food by 10:30am. As donations for our food pantry continue to come in (Thank you to all who have donated!) we will do our best to meet needs as they arise. Please continue to donate non perishable food items* as you're able. Donations can be dropped off in the church foyer on Sundays. Please continued pray for the individuals we serve, and for opportunities to build connections with them.

* Current items needed: canned chicken, chili, and pasta sauce.

Food Distribution every first Friday

New Series starting this Sunday

This summer, our English worship services will be sharing a new series: Family Matters - finding God in the family dynamics of Genesis. (Anyone remember that  old TV show theme song by the same name?) We will have a variety of speakers from June-August in addition to Pastor Connie and Pastor Ron. A scripture reading plan is available, too!

Food Distribution every first Friday

Special Butler Cafe this Sunday

We'll have a special guest with us this Sunday (June 7) in the worship services and at Butler Cafe. Karen Sanchez, our missionary from Thailand and longtime member of Butler Church, will be visiting to share highlights of the ministry there and to connect with you! Plan to stop by during Butler Cafe to come say hi! There are many things happening in Thailand to celebrate and also pray for - look for the sign up to join their monthly zoom prayer gatherings.


Butler Cafe is on Sunday mornings at 10:15AM for a half hour. Special Butler Cafes are also time to celebrate monthly birthdays and anniversaries together! If you have a celebration this month in June, let us know.

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
Email Ricky & Karen Sanchez ALH Facebook Page

Fiesta Time!

Our Thailand missionaries, Ricky & Karen Sanchez are in California for a visit in preparation for Global Sports this summer. Also this summer, the Abundant Life Home orphanage in Chonburi, Thailand will mark the 20th anniversary! If you know Ricky Sanchez, you know this calls for a FIESTA! You are invited to celebrate along with Ricky & Karen locally or even with a trip to Thailand!


Ricky writes: "Our first Fiesta is June 7 at 5 pm in Reedley! California friends and supporters please join us at  9425 Kings River Rd. to celebrate God's faithfulness at ALH for over 20 years! Please let us know if you are coming!" An even bigger event will be in Thailand in July.

Church Business Meeting

Make sure you've marked your calendar for Sunday, June 14 at 3:00pm for our church business meeting. Download the packet here or pick up a printed copy this Sunday. The agenda includes a financial update and motion regarding a unified budget for 2027; the revision to our mission statement and affirmation of that direction; and an update on the transition process to prepare Butler for the next phase of ministry.


Thank you for continuing to keep our transition process - and especially our Council and interim pastor - in prayer.

Alex C graduate

Graduation Congratulations
Tobiah Ens graduated from Fresno State on May 15th with his Bachelors of Arts in Computer Science. (His grandfather, Harold Ens, who graduated from Fresno State in 1965, is especially excited to have another Bulldog grad in the family!) Here at Butler Toby has also been working as our Tech Intern which has been a blessing to all of us as well. Toby is staying in the Fresno area and will be looking for an IT job for now. Congrats, Toby!

Alex C graduate

It's graduation season for the Ens family. Timothy Kamin Ens is graduating next week from Hoover High School as one of 50 valedictorians on June 10! He will attend community college and hopes to later transfer to a 4 year college in Oregon while he also considers pursuing an aviation program. (Timothy attends First Presbyterian church so we don’t see him often here at Butler.) Parents Lowell and Melissa, and grandparents Harold & Helen are very proud of these two young men! Congrats, Timothy!


We're highlighting our graduates each week! If you are graduating this summer, let us know! (You can also drop a note in the offering this Sunday.)

Youth Ministry Update

Our youth leadership team is working on plans for some fun summer events, so stay tuned for more details! (Since summer brings a change in school, family, and work schedules, our regular Sunday youth group gatherings will be on a break for summer.) Youth and parents, be sure to follow as updates are posted online! butlerchurch.org/youth and on IG @butleryouth.4884


More news items....

Illumination Station at Butler July 2026

Volunteers Needed this Summer 

Calling for volunteers for Children's Ministry, and Kids Club this summer! This "VBS" will be a 3 day club in the evenings Wed-Fri July 29-31 from 6-8pm. Our theme is all about shining a light on who Jesus really is. This Sunday there will again be an opportunity to sign up, and registration info is coming soon.


Join a team, or you can also volunteer to help over the coming weeks as we get everything ready! Ways to serve include: group leaders, crafts, snacks, games, decorating, registration, prayer, and more. To sign up, contact the church office or watch for more details to come.

Alex C graduate

Graduation Congratulations
Alex Coleman will be graduating high school June 10 from Aspen Ridge. This summer, Alex plans to work a summer job and spend as much time as possible with his friends before they all go their separate ways for college! Alex has also been a faithful volunteer with children's ministry here at Butler. In the fall he'll be at Fresno City College finishing up general ed classes. Congrats, Alex! 


We're highlighting our graduates each week! If you are graduating this summer, let us know! (You can also drop a note in the offering this Sunday.)

Teda P graduate

Graduation Congratulations
Teda Pel will be graduating this Saturday (May 23) from the Fresno City College RN Program. She is a daughter to Khom (Mally) Khoutsavanh. Teda writes: "I am extremely grateful to be able to get into this program, complete my ADN, and become an RN. This experience has helped me understand how nurses can impact the community. After graduation, I hope to land a job in a cardiac unit. I plan to continue my education to get my bachelors and maybe masters. In the future, I hope to use my skills to help on a medical mission.” Congrats, Teda!


We're highlighting our graduates each week! If you are graduating this summer, let us know! (You can also drop a note in the offering this Sunday.)

Children's Ministry Team

One of the best investments you can make is jumping on board with our Children’s Ministry team and serving our kids! Passionate people are needed to help once a month in Nursery, Preschool, or Kids class 1st-6th grade. We are very flexible and offer various roles beyond teaching.


All the curriculum and training is provided; you just bring your love for the children!  If you feel the Holy Spirit leading to join our team, please connect with me. Also join me in prayer, for volunteers that will shape the spiritual future of our children!


Would you consider joining us for one Sunday? Join our team and make and an eternal impact on our children. For more information, contact the church office or talk with a pastor!


“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6

All new Christian Leader this summer!

Don’t miss out on the new redesign of Christian Leader, the print magazine of our USMB churches. Your next issue arrives in July! We’re skipping May/June as we move to quarterly issues starting July 2026. With more pages and time, we’re focusing on stories that matter—featuring a new look, expanded content, and a renewed focus on encouraging faithful, everyday discipleship and leadership. Christian Leader exists to tell the stories of what God is doing across our family of churches, resource leaders and strengthen faith in everyday life. The more people we reach, the stronger our shared connection becomes.


Regular attenders receive a copy of the Christian Leader by mail free through our support through USMB! If you need to update your subscription, let us know! 

Terry V graduate

Graduation Congratulations

Terry Vongviset writes: "I am currently completing my RN to BSN program at Fresno State and will be graduating this Saturday (May 16). This journey has helped me grow professionally and strengthened my confidence, leadership, and patient care skills. In the future, I hope to continue my education by pursuing a master’s or nurse practitioner program. I am also interested in exploring case management as a career path so I can continue helping patients navigate and improve their healthcare experience."


Terry's parents are Ken & Judy Chaypramouk from our Asian Grace congregation. Congrats, Terry!


We're highlighting our graduates each week! If you are graduating this summer, let us know! (You can also drop a note in the offering this Sunday.)

Kat B graduate

Graduation Congratulations

We have several graduates in our Butler family this spring! Katarina Becker is earning her bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley on Saturday May 16 with a double major in Music Education & Psychology (with department ceremonies on May 17 & May 20.) Kat recently completed a senior recital on french horn, and was part of the Cal Band drum line! She plans to enter grad school for a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Congrats, Kat!


We're highlighting our graduates each week! If you are graduating you’re graduating this summer, let us know! (You can also drop a note in the offering this Sunday.)

Update from Pastor Ron

Last week’s update included a short description of a trip that Kathy and I are embarking on, today! However, there are items for our church family that deserve another update....Our Council met last evening (May 13) to continue the discussions around elements of transition for the church. The consensus was that we seek input from the church membership in two upcoming church business meetings.


....On June 14 @ 3:00 pm the Council will bring the following three proposals for discussion and vote: a balanced 2026 budget, a "unified budget process" beginning in 2027, and an updated Mission Statement....The Council will call for a listening session in July (date yet to be determined) in which the whole membership can consider the one or two proposals for changes to our ministry model.....  

[read the full update on our Council Updates page for details!]


Friends, I know there is a lot of information here that may well raise questions and curiosities. I encourage you to be in touch with your congregational representatives, the Council executive, and the pastoral staff for further conversation and clarification. Remember, we are trusting that God’s spirit is leading us as we continue to do the good (hard!) work of listening, sharing, and discerning together.


See you on Father’s Day in June!

Pastor Ron

Assistance Donations

Through the Butler Church Benevolent Assistance Fund, we have been able to help with several time sensitive needs recently. Given the upcoming cuts in SNAP funding even more requests may be coming in soon. Please consider making an additional donation to the church benevolent fund , by designating for this in the offering or through giving online. We also work with partner agencies like MB Foundation and Everence to expand our capacity through matching grants. 


Another way to donate is by contributing to our food pantry. Non-perishable goods can be dropped off on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary foyer. Canned goods like pasta sauce, chili, and chicken are especially helpful.


If caring for needs of folks in our community in very practical ways is something close to your heart , please also talk with your pastor or contact the church office. We would like to build a social action response team that can respond to needs as they are made known. If you have a personal need, please also talk with a pastor.


Text Updates from Butler Church
If you find an occasional text reminder helpful, be sure to “Opt In” so our “Breeze-butler” text messages get through! To share your preferences for text or email updates, you can complete the Butler Subscriptions form. Thanks! 

Note: If you have signed up, but are no longer receiving text updates - try texting START to 87447. Remember that "msg & data rates may apply." Details are in the Butler subscriptions form.
Butler Cultural Celebration Night
Spanish Translation Available!
Our Butler website is also available in Spanish! Click the upper left corner to switch between English and Spanish. (If you notice any translation errors, please let us know!) 

¡Nuestro sitio web Butler ahora también está disponible en español! Haga clic en el ícono de arriba para cambiar entre inglés y español. (Si nota algún error de traducción, ¡avísenos!)


Updated on: 6/03/2026


Looking for earlier Butler news stories? You can visit our news archive here.

Subscribe to our weekly or monthly eNewsletter for updates & ministry highlights directly in your inbox.