The fall gathering for the Presbyterian Women and friends will be at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7. A lunch will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. with a program to follow. Jha Shrawan will speak about Nepal and Susan Piper will discuss AZ – One ministry.

According to a press release, Shrawan said he always wanted to help people and went into nursing as a result. Jha enjoys seeing the smiles on the faces of the people he has helped. Jha said it was always his dream to come to the United States. He came in 2007 and his wife and son later joined him in 2012 however his parents remain in Nepal. Shrawan came to Albert Lea on the suggestion of a friend already living here and has now made Albert Lea his home. Jha is employed by St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Susan Piper is the director of AZ -One ministries. The AZ – One is a creative way of saying, “as one.” Piper said it was started by a group of business owners who met on Monday mornings to pray for their businesses. Over time they realized their collective entrepreneurial gifts could be used to bring area churches together to make a difference in practical, yet powerful ways. Rather than pointing to differences between churches, AZ – One seeks to find things they have in common and working “as one” to glorify God.

Piper said AZ – One’s mission is to bring hope to people in need by inspiring, equipping and mobilizing the body of Jesus Christ. According to a press release, AZ – One’s goal is to build platforms that provide high-impact opportunities for Christians to passionately serve according to their giftedness so that the power of Christ’s love will be evident to everyone in the region. AZ – One set the table for a volunteer Christian workforce so people can easily and meaningfully get involved. Examples of how this is being accomplished is through ShineFest, Community Cornerstone, leadership training, and Jamaica, Albert Lea Connection of Minnesota.