A long-standing supporter of human rights, Dayspring United Methodist Church in Tempe, Arizona, is hosting an immigration justice program. The program is intended to provide the facts and offer participants ways to support immigrants.
Throughout the day, community and church groups working on immigrant rights and related causes will share relevant information. The program begins with a panel discussion, “Who are Immigrants?,” and is followed by a workshop titled, “Taking Action: Loving the Stranger.”
The event will also showcase the world premiere of a new show created in response to the actions of I.C.E. enforcement, “Requiem for the Innocent.” The show is composed and conducted by David Schildkret, Dayspring’s Director of Music Ministries.
“Standing with the Stranger: Concern, Remembrance, Action,” will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Dayspring Church, 1365 E. Elliot Road in Tempe.
David Schildkret, Professor Emeritus at ASU and Director of Music Ministries at Dayspring Church, and Evelyn Cruz, Clinical Law Professor at ASU, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the justice program.
Schildkret shared some of the goals for event that involved both educating and providing support.
“We have people who are refugees, we have people who are seasonal workers, and so on. And we’re tending to treat them all alike. So we want to try to distinguish that and we want to help people who feel frustrated with the current climate to find ways to be positive actors,” Schildkret said.
Reflection is a big focal point of what they are hoping to achieve. Cruz shared what it means in the context of the event.
“I think it’s important for individuals to think about what the facts are and grounding it on what the laws are, and how we approach the rule of law,” Cruz said.
Schildkret added that he wants people to leave the event feeling “empowered”.
“I think a lot of us feel powerless right now. We see things going on that we find unappealing and deeply offensive, and I think that people will leave this feeling that they have some tools that will allow them to be constructive,” Schildkret said.
