St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 700 Pleasure Road, Lancaster, will host "Welcoming the Stranger?: A Conversation About Immigration" with Joanne Castner on Monday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

In May 2022, Castner, a resident of Grandview Heights, joined a group sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and the St. Columban Mission for Justice, Peace and Ecology on an immersion trip to El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. The visit provided a firsthand look at immigration at the United States/Mexico border and highlighted how individuals and advocacy groups are supporting those in need.

In her presentation, Castner will share what she learned about the root causes of immigration, the reasons people flee their homelands despite danger and uncertainty and how United States immigration policies have shifted in recent months. The evening will feature photos, stories and video clips to help bring the experience to life.

The program is free and open to the public. It is part of St. Matthew's "Conversation Around the Corner" speaker series. The aim of the series is to bring neighbors together for meaningful dialogue, shared learning and new perspectives.