We welcomed three newly elected members to the Butler Church Council: Jim Holm as Moderator, Suzanne Slattery as Secretary, and Jim Rodriguez as Treasurer. Further, Anne Guenther was re-installed as the Faith Community (FC) representative. I am so thankful for the willingness of these new members to serve and look forward to their leadership and wisdom among us with a year of significant transition ahead. Further, for their diligence and faithful service in Council leadership we thank Matt Jacobs (Moderator), Shelly Coleman (Secretary), and Rosalie Carter (Treasurer). NOTE: Two of these elections required special action: (1) the secretary position is provisional until a future congregational meeting can consider amendments to the church constitution that loosen current requirements for multi-congregational representation on the executive; and (2) the FC position required suspending the bylaws regarding term limits.

More at butlerchurch.org/missions.

In this image, the child and the infant are represented by the roots. The viper represents the asp and the adder. The threat looms, yet the roots thrive and the sprout emerges from the stump. The prey and the predator are on equal terms; no longer is one superior to another. We must humanize one another. We must honor each other’s ancestry.

In this image, the child and the infant are represented by the roots. The viper represents the asp and the adder. The threat looms, yet the roots thrive and the sprout emerges from the stump. The prey and the predator are on equal terms; no longer is one superior to another. We must humanize one another. We must honor each other’s ancestry.

Anul is thanking God for the love and family she has here in Fresno and trusting God for what will come next. We are thanking Him for connections that have been made in Fiji where she may be able to stay and rebuild her life. Please continue to pray for peace and guidance for Anul. 

There was a big turnout for the Community Festival last Saturday! A big THANK YOU to Nzash Lumeya, Pastor Bruce Hood, and Teen Challenge, and the 50 volunteers – many resources were made available to our community! This included free food, shoes, bicycles, a car and motorcycle show, and support for addiction recovery. 

Brother Nzash’s top highlights were (1) Gratitude: for this vision becoming a reality and the great weather….the sun came out just as the event started! (2) Many Butler people serving together: setting up early; organized with shoes; tracts and Bibles given out (all available Bibles were taken!); Butler pastors opening and closing the event with a powerful message and prayer (3) Surprises of how God provided more than we could ask or imagine: FPU offering use of the land; assistance from FPU campus safety; preachers in Spanish; extra food that wasn’t planned for; and a young man who committed his life to Christ and is now connected with the recovery program….join us in praying for Isaac. 

This Saturday (Dec 6) Nzash is hosting another prayer gathering to give thanks for this event and seek God’s continued guidance in ways to reach our community with the love of Jesus. This outreach prayer gathering is every first Saturday at 10AM in Room 16.

You can receive the Christian Leader by mail or find it online. (If you are not currently on the mailing list but would like to be added, please let the church office know!) News stories, feature articles and columns are published on their website, like these recent pieces:

ABCs of Partnership (featuring Butler Church literacy mentors!)

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.

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!