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COMMON GROUND ON THE BORDER

JANUARY 15 -17, 2026

THE GOOD SHEPHERD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
SAHUARITA, ARIZONA

REGISTRATION
OPENING  
SOON!  

This year’s theme is “From Border to Belonging: A celebration of commitment, compassion, and community across the US/Mexico borderlands.”


The United States-Mexico borderlands has always been a beautiful mix of culture, language, cuisine, economies, and people. It has also been a place of struggle, high and low temperatures, a fragile environment, and the push and pull of immigration.
The Borderlands is the perfect place to explore the arts, touch the culture, and have deeper conversations about the complicated issues that collide here. We hope you will come and explore with us all the possibilities.


Thursday is a day of engaging field trips to immerse ourselves in the culture, life, and issues along the US/Mexico border.


On Friday we will have keynote addresses in the morning, classes in the afternoon, and a great dinner followed by an amazing concert.


On Saturday we will have keynote addresses and a festival in the morning, classes in the afternoon and another great dinner followed by an evening with film and theater director Josefina Lopez, writer of the award-winning film “Real Women Have Curves.” There will be a showing of the film and a Q&A with the author.

COMMON GROUND ON THE BORDER

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2026

7:30 am                  Field Trips Ideas

                                                A Day in Nogales, Mexico.                               Limit 12

                                                Another Day in Nogales, Mexico                     Limit 12

                                                Desert Searches                                                 Limit 18

                                                Humane Borders Water Drop                           Limit 12

                                                Samaritan Water Drops                                     Limit   8

                                                La Casa Misericordia                                         Limit  30

                                                Migrant Memorial Walk - Laurie Jurs               Limit 12

                                                Cross Installation with Alvaro Enciso                Limit 12

                                                Food Packet Making (for Samaritans vans)

                                                Hygiene Kit Making (Rita Danks maybe?)

5:00 - 7:00 pm       Dinner              

7:00 - 9:00 pm       (Confirmed) Premiere Documentary Film Screening: "Samaritans" documentary film by David Damian                                                                 Figueroa --- Cast: Shura Wallin, Pastor Randy Mayer, Jaime Brusstar, Rita Danks, Gail Kocourek,                                                               Pancho Martin, and Alvaro Enciso

                                              Join us for an impactful evening as we premiere "Samaritans," a moving documentary that captures                                                       the dedication of older American volunteers providing life-saving aid to migrants at the US-Mexico border.                                           With a running time of one hour, this film honors the memory of those who have tragically lost their lives in                                           pursuit of the American Dream and highlights the urgent call for compassion and justice in migration.                                                     Experience the inspiring stories of the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans, who have selflessly helped over

                                         30,000 migrants in distress in Southern Arizona's harsh desert, embodying the spirit of humanity and                                                       resilience.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026

8:30 am                  Registration

9:00 am                  Welcome and Orientation

9:15 - 10:15 am      Keynote Address: Erick Meza – Sierra Club

Eric Meza 

                                                         Erick Meza is the current Borderlands Coordinator for the Sierra Club Grand Canyon                                                                                 Chapter and Permaculture educator from the Sonoran Desert. He will be speaking                                                                                     about the ecological damage of building the border wall and all of the destruction                                                                                     that falls in its wake.

*** 10:00 am             (Confirmed) Author Spotlight and Conversation: "Dead of Summer" with author Enrique Castillo (confirmed)

​                                          Join us for an intimate Author Spotlight featuring Enrique Castillo, a celebrated Mexican American actor,                                              writer, director, and producer. Known for his iconic roles in "El Norte" and "Blood in Blood Out," Castillo                                              brings his experiences as a migrant child Farmworker along with his artistic vision to life through his latest                                              work, “The Dead of Summer.” This gripping tale unfolds in a remote desert hamlet near the California/                                                  Mexico border, where danger and supernatural elements intertwine amidst violent sandstorms and ancient                                            legends. Castillo expertly weaves together themes of cultural displacement and ancestral struggles,                                                      grounding his characters in the rich tapestry of the Southwest. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a                                                  profound narrative that challenges the boundaries of Chicano literature with the ease of a master                                                            storyteller.

10:30 - 11:30 am    Keynote Address:  Todd Miller – Border Chronicle

Todd Miller 

                                                           Todd Miller for the past 15 years Todd has dedicated himself to in depth reporting                                                                                      and writing about immigration, the militarization of the US/Mexico Border, and the                                                                                    communities and people that live there.  He has written 4 books including Border                                                                                      Patrol Nation, Empire of Borders, Build Bridges not Walls, and Storming the Wall. 

                                                            He is also co-founder of The Border Chronicle.

11:30 - 1:00 pm     Lunch Break - Eva Tamales??

1:00 - 2:30 pm       Keynote Address: Diane Maldonado (Diane Confirmed not necessarily time) 

                                  Songs from the Soil: Diane Maldonado's Stories from America's Agricultural Fields (An acoustic performance)

                              Diane Maldonado is not just a recording artist; she is a captivating storyteller with roots that weave through the

                              rugged landscapes of Idaho. once a migrant child, her journey has been anything but ordinary. She first emerged                                from the vibrant cultural melting pot of San Antonio, Texas, where she commanded the stage as the dynamic                                        frontwoman of the acclaimed Tejano group, Amor y Pasión. under her electrifying leadership, Amor y Pasión                                        burst onto the music scene with their debut LP, "Sangre Caliente," in 1998, igniting a passion that resonated                                        deeply within the hearts of their listeners. Just two years later, they followed up with "Besa Besa," further                                              solidifying their place in the hearts of Tejano music lovers. Now based in San Antonio, Diane continues to push                                    the boundaries of her artistry, infusing her performances with a rare blend of emotion and energy that captivates                                  audiences far and wide. Her story is one of resilience, rhythm, and relentless ambition, inviting listeners to join her                                on a melodic journey that transcends borders and speaks to the soul. Will you be part of the next chapter in her                                  remarkable saga?
 

 

2:45 - 4:45 pm       Classes

 

BREAK

 

5:45 - 6:45 pm       Dinner (Food Bank)              

7:00 - 9:00 pm       (Confirmed) Film Screening: "El Norte" with David Villapondo

                               Panelists: Enrique Castillo (confirmed) and Orquidea Morales (Invited)

                                 
                                  
Revival Screening of the Academy Award-nominated film"El Norte"at Common Ground on the Border 2026 with
                              cast member/actor Enrique Castillo.  "El Norte" follows the harrowing journey of two indigenous siblings, Enrique
                              and Rosa, as they flee the devastation of the Guatemalan Civil War in search of a better life in the United States.                                  Facing the tragic realities of ethnic and political persecution, they navigate through Mexico's perilous landscapes,

                              encountering both adversity and moments of dark humor along the way. With powerful performances by Zaide                                    Silvia Gutierrez and David Villapando, this critically acclaimed film highlights the resilience of the human spirit.                                      Celebrated for its cultural and historical significance, "El Norte" remains a poignant exploration of identity,                                          survival, and the immigrant experience.   

  

Good Shepherd_Erick Meza_2026_Common Ground on the Border.jpg
Good Shepherd_Todd Miller_2026_Common Gr

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026

8:30 - 9:00 am        Registration

9:00 - 9:15 am        Gathering, Announcements, Orientation

9:15 - 10:15 am      Keynote Address: 

10:15 - 11:00 am    Border Fair on the Patio

11:00 - 12:00 pm    Keynote Address:  Alba Jaramillo (Law and Justice Network)

Alba Jaramillo 

                                                            Alba Jamarillo J.D. is co-executive director of the Immigration Law and Justice                                                                 Network and is the founder of the founder of Teatro Dignidad (Dignity Theater). 

                                                            Alba is a celebrated local and national leader in the area of immigration, human                                                                                        rights, and the arts. She will be bringing insights to the current legal situation that                                                                                   relates to the heavy-handed immigration enforcement and the impact on migrancommunities, their families and activists.

12:00 - 1:30 pm      Lunch (Eva??)

 

1:30 - 3:30 pm        Classes

 

3:30 - 5:45 pm        BREAK

 

5:45 - 7:00 pm        Dinner (Manuel's)              

7:00 - 9:00 pm        (Confirmed) Exclusive Film Screening: Ugly Little Monkeys

                                Performance: Los Changuitos Feos Movie and Concert

                                Panelists: David Valdez, Co-Director (Confirmed)

                                                      Enrique Castillo, Co-Director (Confirmed)

                                                       Wilford Arvizu - Author/Former Changuito

                                                Adalberto Gallegos - Recording Artist/Former Changuito

 

                               "Ugly Little Monkeys" - The story of the world-renowned mariachi youth group, "Los Changuitos Feos." 
                               
Join us for an exclusive screening featuring the powerful film executive produced by Edward James olmos, co-                                     directed by veteran filmmakers David Valdez and Enrique Castillo. The film explores the dark challenges of                                           assimilation faced b Mexican/American families, where pride in heritage clashes with prejudice and the harsh                                       realities of speaking Spanish. Through the lens of nostalgic pop culture, it reflects on the struggle to maintain

                               cultural identity amidst societal pressures while navigating childhood influences from Mexican traditions and                                         American entertainment.

Good Shepherd_Alba Jamarillo_2026_Common Ground on the Border.jpg

REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS can be made by contacting our registrar Maria Wong at maria@commongroundonthehill.org.  For all other questions contact Charlene Virts at charlenevirts@gmail.com.

CLASSES

                 

                  Alba Jaramillo -Legal Issues

             

                  Making Tortillas

                  Anna Maria – Music

                  Eric Meza – Desert Floral and Fauna​

                  Francisco Cantu – Writing or something

                  Alvaro Encino – Making Crosses

                  Todd Miller – Something

                                                    

COMMON GROUND ON THE BORDER

The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ

17750 S. La Cañada Drive

Sahuarita, AZ  85629

QUESTIONS?

Email Charlene Virts

​or

Email Randy Mayer

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