The Buzz newsletter | Updated Weekly

 Update from Pastor Ron
Just like any family, Butler Church experiences the highs and lows of life together. This includes those moments where we celebrate the achievements and joys of our members, as well as losses and places of sadness or suffering. This week, we have seen dearly loved members move into their eternal rest and reward. (See separate announcement.) May the memory of those who have passed on be a blessing to family and friends. Moments like this are keenly felt, known, and precious to God our Father (Rev 14.13).

Another element of life together are those seasons where we engage in conversations and decision-making about the future. Our Butler Church family – all four congregations – is in such a season right now. I’m grateful for the strong attendance, wide-ranging input, and goodwill that has been demonstrated in our congregational listening sessions through the month of January. Many of you have seen the wall posters that have been generated by early analysis of our Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats. Now, this coming Sunday, we will engage in the next step in our transition process: Strategic Planning Workshop. (01. February 2026 @ 3–5 pm). 

We will meet in the main auditorium around tables for a 2-hour session that will include: (1) review of our guiding Vision statements, (2) summary of key SWOT analyses insights, (3) laying the groundwork for re-envisioning the organizational shape and ministry model of our church, and (4) describing our next steps in the coming weeks. It is important to emphasize that we do not have a pre-determined outcome! Our collective feedback will go a long way in helping the Council evaluate and prepare goals and options for our discernment. Please come with good cheer and prayerful anticipation as we engage in this workshop! For me, it is not coincidence that our morning gatherings will also include the Lord’s Supper. This can truly be a significant Sunday as we come together as a church body: four congregations, one church, one family!

All Church Strategic Planning Workshop this Sunday

Reminder for this Sunday afternoon Feb 1st! Every member of our church family is encouraged to make participation in this all-church strategic planning workshop a priority!  On Sunday we will gather in the main auditorium from 3–5 pm. This will be a formative session with both reports, discussion times, and review of potential changes in church structure and model. (Translation will be provided; if childcare will be needed, please let the church office know by Friday noon.)

Your voice, your perspectives, and your dreams for the future of God’s Kingdom work here in southeast Fresno are vital for us to move forward as a church family.  Let’s anticipate that we will learn much from each other and take the next steps to discerning a new season of flourishing!

In Memory of Lenora Nickel 
Join us in praying for the family of Lenora Nickel who went home to be with her Lord this past Sunday (January 25). Lenora is the last of our original Butler Charter Members who established Butler Church almost 70 years ago. Arrangements are being made to celebrate Lenora's 97 years of life. 

A simple memorial service and reception will take place here at Butler on Wednesday, February 18 following the morning graveside service in Reedley.
Children's Ministry Update
On Sunday February 8, our morning children's ministry will feature Pajamas and Pancakes! We will be having pancakes in our pajamas and have a lesson in Love. So, parents, bring your kiddos in cozy pj's that Sunday; you are more than welcome to provide any toppings for our pancakes. Thanks!

Our kids' class on Sundays is during the 11AM hour for kids K-6th grade. Feel free to contact our children's ministry director, Maria Galvan, with any questions.
Living Your Life on Mission
Year End Giving Letters 
Year-end giving letters for tax purposes are being sent out this week, primarily by email. Those who have previously requested a printed letter will be sent one. If you have any questions, or would like a printed copy, please contact the church office. Thanks!


Palm Village Soup Supper and Annual Meeting 
The Palm Village Retirement Community in Reedley is holding its annual meeting February 24, 2026, at 7 PM, preceded by the annual Soup Supper. As a founding church, Butler leadership is invited to select one or more delegates to represent Butler Church at the event. In addition, any persons interested in serving on the Palm Village board or being a delegate to the meeting should contact Jim Holm via the church office so that their names can be submitted. Nominees must be submitted by February 13. 


More news items....

 Intersections Cohort Highlights
Our collaborative learning cohort with the Central Valley Justice Coalition is off to a GREAT start! This past Tuesday, we had 25 registered participants attend (and there is room for more!). Our first, eye-opening session focused on issues of justice and compassion as it relates to human trafficking, specifically “Familial Trafficking." 

If you would like to join in learning together, there is still time to register - whether you can attend in person or would like to request a recording. Additional topics include economic security, the justice system, and more to consider practical ways to join the work God is already doing in our community. Sessions are on Tuesday evenings Jan 20 - Feb 24. A registration cost of $30 covers most meals for the six weeks. (If cost is a barrier, please let the church office know; we want all interested to be able to participate!) 
Spring LEAD Cohorts
In addition to our local learning cohort, our broader church family also sponsors virtual LEAD Cohorts each fall and spring. Sign ups for the next round of cohorts are currently taking place! LEAD Cohorts bring together people from across our US Mennonite Brethren community for intentional, online conversations that deepen faith, foster relationships and encourage growth.

This season's list of cohort topics includes: Effective communication in a digital world, Holistic healthy living, Leadership for women in ministry, Discipleship discussions, and Lectio Divina. Session dates vary by cohort but most begin the first week of February; all take place virtually via zoom. See the entire lineup and consider signing up! 

Church Council Update 
The Church Council meet on Thursday, January 22. A copy of the agenda is available online. The topics include the strategic planning process, church constitutional matters, planning for a spring church business meeting, and more.  

Note that Council meetings are open for guests to attend and listen in, generally on the 3rd Thursday of each month. If you have a topic to suggest for a future meeting, or any questions or concerns, please direct those to the council member from your congregation. Thank you for praying for the council for wisdom, discernment, and unity in decisions to be made.

New Pastoral Opportunity

Our Butler member, Dr. Emebet Mekonnen, is taking part in a chaplaincy training program this year, which will also bring an added blessing to our church family!


Butler Church partnering with “Clinical Pastoral Education of California” in this training, through volunteer internship hours. For the next 4 months, Emebet will be present on campus at various times during weekly office hours. Not only will this opportunity provide an educational context for Emebet as a chaplain-in-training, but our church family will benefit from her investment of time in the form of listening sessions. 


Our goal is to make Emebet's time and listening presence available to church members and community neighbors who need a prayerful, listening ear. Dr. Mekonnen will be report weekly to Pastor Ron and others in Butler Church leadership. We will provide more information as to the times / places for this ministry in the coming days. Look for more details in our Sunday gatherings and in upcoming editions of the Buzz. We welcome Emebet as a volunteer member of our staff for the next several months! – Pastor Ron

January 2026

Assistance Fund 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. 

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: 1/29/2026

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

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