The Buzz newsletter | Updated Weekly
Update from Pastor Ron
This May, at Butler Church we look forward to Mother’s Day where we honor all those (women and men) who serve the children and families of our community. We also remember that, for some, this is a difficult time where loss and painful memories are deeply felt. In all of this, a poignant feature of our scriptures is that God’s faithfulness and kindness is frequently portrayed in feminine terms – a reminder that we are all equally called, gifted, and cared for by a good God (Father and Mother). Encountering the God whom Jesus embodied (John 14.8–9) has been an important insight in our Eastertide gatherings and will also be the heartbeat of the Fresno School of Mission’s “Mission Festival” being held here at Butler on May 08–09!
On a personal note, I want to update the church family on upcoming travel, which had been scheduled prior to my time here at Butler. [From mid-May through mid-June... read the full update on our Council page]. During my time away, a summer teaching series will begin for Faith Community and Common Ground that will include a combination of our pastoral staff and guest speakers. At the same time, our Council continues to do its work of discerning transition steps and will announce congregational sessions where proposals can be discussed and prayerfully considered. My prayer will be for the health, safety, and flourishing of all those who call Butler Church home – both while I’m away and into the future that God is calling us!
In God’s grace, wherever that may find us,
Pastor Ron
Mission Festival Invitation
The Fresno School of Mission 20th annual Mission Festival is this weekend May 8 & 9 here at Butler! Our local Butler missionary, Nzash Lumeya, is calling our Butler family to take a personal step into mission: You can Pray, be Present, and Partner in this ministry work.
Pray: for the event details and all who will attend - both the mission festival and for a Saturday outreach taking place on the empty lot!
Be Present: Please come for as long as you can on Friday (8-noon, 5:30-8pm) or volunteer for the outreach on Saturday morning. In the days leading up to this, join with the outreach team in giving out invitations in the neighborhood to the ministry fair!
Partner: We are praying together for 3 people to make a decision to follow Jesus & connect with a church family; we will walk alongside them in their faith journey.
For more information, or to let Nzash know of your availability,
call or text 559-907-1445
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, drop me a note, find me on Sunday, or look for the sign up sheet to indicate your interest. Thanks!
Maria Galvan, Children's Ministry director
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -Proverbs 22:6
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!
Candidate Forums and Voter Information
Voting for the June primary election is underway! Now is a good time to learn more about the candidates and election measures.
On Monday, May 11 a candidate forum will take place here at Butler Church, for Fresno City Council Districts 3 & 5. This nonpartisan event is hosted by the Youth Leadership Institute, and will begin at 6:00pm, with translation. A livestream will also be available. YLI is also hosting a District 1 & 7 debate on May 18.
The first governor's debate has taken place and a recording to the broadcast is available here. The Califoria voter guide is available here.
Hartland Camp Dinner
This year marks 80 years of ministry at Hartland Christian Camp. Over the years, our Butler youth and men's groups have spent time at Hartland and built special memories there.
Hartland is having a celebration and fundraising dinner on Saturday, May 16 at Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church - you are warmly invited! The evening will include a delicious dinner and auction, time of fellowship with fellow supporters and friends of Hartland, stories and updates from camp, and an opportunity to partner in this coming season of growth. (Please RSVP in advance!)
Celebrating Asian American Heritage
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage month. Here at Butler Church, we’re blessed to worship together with brothers and sisters from several Asian cultures! In our Asian Grace congregation alone, we have members who are Khmu, Lao, Mien, and T’in! And beyond that we have Filipino, American Samoan, Korean, and Cambodian represented within our broader church family and congregations!
Fresno also has a large Hmong community (different from Khmu). Both people groups originate in modern day Thailand and Laos, with Hmong extending north and east into what is now Myanmar, Vietnam, and China. Here are links to some articles to learn more about the local Hmong community and about Khmu culture.
More news items....
Youth Ministry Highlights
Recently the youth group spent time in the Butler community garden! Thank you to the youth and others who are helping good things grow in the garden!
Youth leaders Kathy and Chansamone write: "We planted sunflowers, snapdragons, zinnias, lemon grass, two types of basil, cilantro & a variety of peppers. We look forward to seeing these grow and hopefully use them when we are able to cook together. This past Sunday we continued learning about caring for God's creation and being out in nature. Appreciating and taking responsibility for our part in this world makes a difference. We read the blog "Called to Care for Creation" and our youth picked up trash around our campus!"
Youth gatherings are Sunday afternoons at 4pm for junior high and high school youth. (Note that they will be meeting this Sunday but off on May 10 for Mothers' Day.)
Update & Prayer Request
Lisa Keith recently received a challenging cancer diagnosis. She writes: "Thank you for your prayers, Butler family. Surgery went well. Now we wait for pathology...pray for clear margins and clear lymph nodes so that no more surgeries are required and chemo can begin."
Thank you to all who have been helping with meals! So far the needed meals are covered; if more are needed during treatment we'll let you know. For now, prayer is most appreciated!
Women's Retreat Highlights
Thank you for your prayers for our Butler ladies who participated in the women's retreat last weekend. It was delightful to spend time together in a beautiful setting, and with all meals and dishes taken care of! Activities included a morning hike (so proud of those who got up early!), watercolor painting (fun to see how each art piece was unique) and even folk dancing (a few of us tried it just for fun; what a workout!). We had meaningful times of worship and learning about Grace and Grief, and experienced again the beauty of community and the importance of sharing life together.
¡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: 5/06/2026
Looking for earlier Butler news stories? You can visit our news archive here.