Tom Wingo and Carol McMurrain lived in southwest Montana and during winters they headed south in their camper, searching for warmer weather and rockhounding. When they came upon Ajo Arizona they loved its plaza and small-town charm.
“We heard about the Ajo Samaritans and, drawn to their mission, became involved. We found our niche with their support of the migrant shelters in Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico: we found it very meaningful to actually meet the people trying so desperately for a better life for themselves and their families,” McMurrain said.
They soon moved to Ajo full-time. “When Ajo Samaritans decided to withdraw from shelter work at the end of 2022, a few of us decided to continue to support the shelters. We formed a little club which eventually morphed into our nonprofit, Samaritanos Sin Fronteras. During the summer of 2023, we began helping Humane Borders with water barrels along the wall just west of the Lukeville port of entry because asylum seekers were pouring in by the thousands,” she said.
“However, since the monthlong closing of Lukeville’s port of entry last December and cartels fighting for dominance in the streets of Sonoyta at the same time, the numbers of both asylum seekers and shelter guests have shifted drastically toward Sasabe,” she added.
McMurrain explained that this December there has been a slight uptick in the number of people crossing to ask for asylum, but numbers at the shelters have not increased. People apparently are being deported mainly through the Nogales port of entry, not via Lukeville/Sonoyta. The group has not seen a rush for the border at this time and are waiting to see what happens in the coming weeks.
Tom Wingo is a retired teacher, farmer, and mule packer from Eufaula, Alabama. Carol McMurrain retired from teaching in Georgia. After moving to Ajo, Arizona, they and like-minded friends formed their own nonprofit to provide requested support to several migrant shelters.
There are speakers on the patio if you wish to listen to the service outside.
Childcare is available every Sunday. Zoey Cronin will lead a formal children's program on second and fourth Sundays. This Sunday will be a Children’s RE program.
Children are welcome to participate on any Sunday, but they will get the most out of the program if they attend second and fourth Sundays somewhat regularly. Family adults may stay for the children's program or attend the adult program. Children are encouraged to bring a small item that represents someone or something they are grateful for that week.
UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship, and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email
