The Buzz newsletter | Updated Weekly
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
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!
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.)
Mission Festival Highlights
This past Saturday, the Butler outreach team supported the Fresno School of Mission in a big outreach event on the lot across the corner. Our missionary, Nzash Lumeya, writes:
"The Butler Church Outreach committee (now over 10 people!) has been meeting once a month to pray and reach out to our Southeast Fresno neighbors. On May 9, the Lord allowed us to pray and serve about 100 people at Butler & Winery. Two accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord! We are following up with them. Matondo (thank you!) for Butler Church's commitment to reach Southeast Fresno with the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ!"
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....
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
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
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
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 took place here at Butler Church, for Fresno City Council Districts 3 & 5. This nonpartisan event was hosted by the Youth Leadership Institute. YLI is also hosting a District 1 & 7 debate on May 18.
Video from District 3 forum Video from District 5 forum
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!)
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.
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Updated on: 5/14/2026
Looking for earlier Butler news stories? You can visit our news archive here.