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Samaritan Volunteer Gail Kocourek frequently asks migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border if they need food and water. She carries these essentials along with first aid supplies as part of her work. The Samaritan program is closely tied to The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Sahuarita, Arizona, which has been welcoming migrants for over two decades.
The church recently hosted its annual Common Ground on the Border event from January 16-18, drawing more than 250 participants nationwide. This event offered a comprehensive experience through field trips that explored the culture and issues at the border.
Rev. Randy Mayer, lead pastor at Good Shepherd UCC and co-founder of the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans, noted that attendees gain a deep understanding of both the border itself and the challenges causing suffering there.
UCC News Video Journalist Bob Lormor attended this event to capture various perspectives and experiences at the border. His coverage includes an overview video introduced by Mayer and plans for next year's gathering set for January 15-17, 2026.
In another detailed video story, Lormor accompanies volunteers from Tucson Samaritans and People Helping People as they provide humanitarian aid along southern Arizona's border. He also interviews a rancher who owns land near the border wall. These stories reveal diverse viewpoints, with Samaritan Volunteer Miranda Haley emphasizing that "there’s a lot of gray area" regarding border issues.
For further inquiries, Rev. Randy Mayer is available for contact.
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