Butler Church bulletin available

A preview of this Sunday's (12/19) Butler Church bulletin is now available. To view, click here.

Multifaith Exchange this Sunday (12/19)

Mark your calendars as the Fresno Multifaith Exchange will be visiting the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Fresno on Sunday, December 19th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

The church is located at 2672 E. Alluvial (between Chestnut and Willow - map)

Note of interest:
In April, 2007, this congregation voted to become a UU Green Sanctuary.

“The Mission of the Green Sanctuary Committee is to help the members of the congregation build a connection between spiritual consciousness and environmentally sustainable practice in their individual and congregational lives.”

This initiative included the construction of a "green" sanctuary and kitchen, the installation of a solar array and the implementation of an education and practice program focusing on environmental sustainability.

Butler Church bulletin available

A preview of this Sunday's (12/5) Butler Church bulletin is now available. To view, click here.

Kingdom Tide 'embrace' this Sunday (12/5)

Please join us as we embrace the anticipation and express a longing for the coming presence of the Messiah. The evening will include poetry and psalm readings, a candle lighting service and communion.

When: Sunday, Dec 5 from 530-730p
Where: Butler Church, Rms 17/18 (4884 E Butler Ave)

You are encouraged to bring poetry or a psalm that expresses longing, silence, darkness, waiting, or anticipation.

Childcare will be provided.

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During the month of December, we will explore the theme of 'presence' by embracing, experiencing, thinking and serving God, others and the world. As we do this, we will join with the global Christian community as it observes Advent, the season of anticipation and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

We will embrace the longing and expectation that comes with hoping and waiting for God to be with us amidst the struggles of life. Through darkness, poetry, candle lighting and communion, we hope to symbolically reflect our anticipation of and participation in the Kingdom of God "on earth as it is in heaven". Just as Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover as a hopeful reenactment of the Exodus - Hebrews huddled in the darkness waiting for God to liberate them from slavery and oppression - our communion is both a memorial to the advent of Christ and our longing to fully experience God's presence. Through this, we embrace the tension of being in the presence of God now and yet waiting for God to intercede on behalf of humanity and creation.

[Photo credit: http://www.absenceandpresence.info/main.htm] 

Advent devotional available

From the MB Seminary...

Advent Devotionals from Fresno Pacific University and Biblical Seminary

MB Biblical Seminary, now part of Fresno Pacific University, has produced its 3^rd annual Advent devotional guide. This daily devotional is written by seminary and FPU Bible faculty, staff and students, and includes a Bible passage and devotional thoughts for each day of Advent, November 28-December 26, 2010. It’s a great daily reminder to focus on Jesus in the middle of an often busy holiday season.

The 2010 Advent devotional is available online and as a daily email subscription. Find it at www.mbseminary.edu/advent-devotional, or click here to subscribe. Each day’s devotional will arrive in your inbox starting Sunday, November 28 and ending December 26, 2010. We hope it’s a blessing to you as we celebrate Jesus’ birth and look forward to his coming again.

Thinking about wealth

As we come to the end of November and transition from the theme of Wealth to the theme of Presence, I would like to share a couple of online articles and a video that I have found particularly influential in my view of wealth.

Enjoy.

"Does Mite Make Right?" (http://www.jesusradicals.com/does-mite-make-right/)

"Opting out of the money economy" (http://www.wisebread.com/opting-out-of-the-money-economy)

"What is Poverty?" (video below)

KT Thanksgiving gathering this weekend (11/28)

Please join us for a Kingdom Tide gathering of thanksgiving.

When: Sunday, Nov 28 from 530-730p
Where: Butler Church, Rms 17/18

We will be enjoying food, music and conversation together. If you are able, bring fruits, nuts or (?) for a simple banquet plus a small 'token' of thanksgiving (a symbolic object that represents something for which you are especially thankful during the past year). We invite everyone to speak and share this token with us as we gather.