SARVER — Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, will host a special event featuring Christmas Child shoebox gift recipient Vladimir “Ted” Foreman at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Ted received a shoebox gift at the age of 9 while living in a Russian orphanage. His favorite gift in that shoebox was a washcloth he could call his very own — previously he had to share one with 20 other children.

Children, families, churches and groups will celebrate the upcoming collection season for Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project of its kind.

The Apostolate of Fatima will have First Saturday Devotions at an 8 a.m. Mass Saturday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., followed by the rosary.A meeting will follow in the Collins Room. A DVD from EWTN's “Journey Home” featuring Deacon David Miller will be shown, and Miller will be at the meeting.

GIBSONIA — Ivan Parker, internationally known gospel singer, will appear in concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Bakerstown United Methodist Church, 5760 William Flinn Highway, Gibsonia. Doors open at 6 p.m.For tickets and information, call 724-443-3184 or e-mail lstafura@bakerstownumc.org.