Special message at Christian Church of Casper

The Christian Church of Casper welcomes Jim Shade for a special message today. Shade is the senior minister at his church in Madison, Wis. He has a background in leadership, preaching, discipleship, networking and evangelism and is described as being a dynamic speaker. He is married with four children and received a bachelor's in biblical studies and theology with a minor in youth and family from Crossroads College in Rochester, Minn. Joining Shade will be his father-in-law Bruce Colson, who will speak about his missionary work in Brazil.

Shade and Colson will speak at 10:30 a.m. today at the church, located at 8188 Zero Road.

Casper Community meets in the park

Casper Community Church is moving outdoors. It will hold a Sunday service in the park at 10 a.m. today in Washington Park. A free lunch with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, potato salad and drinks will follow. All are invited to attend.

For more information call the church at 268-8507.

Operation Christmas Child in July

It's never too early to look forward to Christmas. That's why Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse that sends gift-filled shoe boxes to poor kids in more than 120 countries, is having "Christmas in July."

A city-wide shoe box packing party will be held for all in the community at 10 a.m. Friday at Highland Park Community Church, 411 S. Walsh Drive. Bring shoe boxes and wrapping paper, items to fill the boxes, a personal note and picture to put in your boxes and $7 to help cover the cost of shipping. Ideas for supplies include: toiletries, crayons, hard candy, T-shirts, hair clips and small toys.

Churches are also encouraged to incorporate Operation Christmas Child into Vacation Bible School and Sunday School programs.

For more information on how to involve OCC in VBS or Sunday School programs, call Heather Sundstrom, church relations coordinator, at 232-9528.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child or the shoe box packing party, call Wanda Klietz, area coordinator, at 277-5467.

Pizza and Bands teen night

What do you get when you combine teens, pizza and Christian rock music? Good, clean fun.

Casper Community Church has launched a monthly teen night to be held the last Saturday of every month to give teenagers a chance to unwind their way. Several bands from the area will perform punk, rock, hip hop, rap and contemporary music and there will be free pizza and soda. All teenagers in the community are invited.

This month's hang-out will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the church, 249 N. Wolcott St. There is no cover charge.

For more information call 268-8507.

WCCW sets conference

The Wyoming Council of Catholic Women has scheduled its 55th annual conference. "Vocations and the Holy Eucharist" is set for Sept. 7-9 at the Ramkota Hotel in Casper and is hosted by St. Patrick's Council of Catholic Women.

The convention will include Mass, a banquet, a live auction, raffles, a presentation titled "Christ's Invitation to be Filled and to be Served," and more. The keynote speaker is Karen M. Hurley, president general of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations. Hurley, who is serving from 2006-2010, is the first woman from the United States to serve in the post.

Registration is $90 and is due by Aug. 8. After that time the fee is $100. Registration includes four meals.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Ramkota for $67 per night. To make reservations call (800) 528-1234 and mention your are with the WCCW.

For more information or to register, call Phyllis Coleman at 237-8379, Linda Slattery at 237-6880, Julie Milberger at 267-5899, Rita Dean at 265-6999 or Vicki Peters at 237-1906.

'Reaching the Every' banquet features Ryan Dobson

Casper Youth for Christ, Inc. announces its upcoming third annual "Reaching the Every" fundraising banquet. The event will honor Carl Wolosin, executive director of the Central Wyoming Rescue Mission. It will feature Ryan Dobson, founder of KOR Ministries and son of James Dobson, as its keynote speaker.

The banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Casper Events Center.

Tables are available for sponsorship. For more information or to sponsor a table, call Janet or Ed at 235-6650 or e-mail cyfcassist@bresnan.net.