All About Advocacy

Lots to say

about April and May

April 7, 1–3 pm—Passover Seder—We regret to announce that this event has been canceled. We look forward to trying it again next year, and your interest is greatly appreciated.

April 13, 1–3 pm – Birthing Justice- Documentary Film and Panel Discussion – In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week. RSVP to the Front Desk at 717-334-9171, ext. 0. Sponsored by WellSpan OBGYN Gettysburg, YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County, Adams County Library and WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital Foundation. Free to the public.

April 22- 27—Second Annual Living Library—Sponsored by the Adams County Library and YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County. There will be a kickoff event on Monday, April 22, from 6 to 8 pm. “Books” include Wendy Allen, Judy Routson, Rita Frealing, Deb McCauslin, Judy Young, Carla Christopher, Kathy Gelner, Marietta Witt, Jim Witt, Judy Leslie, and more! Register soon on the Library’s website.

April 28 – 1 pm – CROP Walk – The revival of the Gettysburg Area CROP Hunger Walk! The Walk will start at 1 pm at the United Lutheran Seminary’s outdoor pavilion and follow the seminary’s historic walking trail. Parking will be available at Gettysburg YWCA (909 Fairfield Road), adjacent to the pavilion. As a special treat, the Dixie Mix Dixieland Band will play at the start of the Walk. Please consider forming a team to participate in the Gettysburg Area CROP Hunger Walk by signing up at the walk website – https://events.crophungerwalk.org/cropwalks/event/gettysburgpa. Team captain envelopes and individual walker donation envelopes can also be obtained by contacting Nancy Lilley at gro.grubsyttegacwy@yelliln or call 717-334-9171, ext. 115. A team can comprise family, friends, faith-based congregations, charitable organizations, businesses, or a blend of these. Individual walkers and pets are also welcome, and alternatives are available for those unable to walk to support the event.

If you have any questions about the Gettysburg Area CROP Hunger Walk, want to form a Walk team, or sponsor the Walk, please contact Jesse Holt at moc.oohay@rjtlohessej or call 240-706-5061. 

Month of April – Stand Against Racism and Mission Member Drive continues. The YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with race, power, privilege, and leadership issues. Beginning on April 1, participants will gain access to Challenge activities, including reading articles, listening to podcasts, reflecting on personal experience, and more. This year’s Challenge is full of all-new content and topics to address injustices surrounding Bodily Autonomy, Transportation, Gun Violence, and Financial Empowerment. Help us at YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County continue the mission work by becoming a Mission Member . Your support of the Mission Member Campaign of $40 for an individual or $100 for a family, organization/business will help us continue our mission work and take it to individuals/groups who request it. To become a Mission Member, you can send a check to me here at the YWCA – 909 Fairfield Road –Gettysburg, PA 17325. Or call the Front Desk and tell them you want to become a Mission Member – 1-717-334-9171. In either case, please include your email. Thank you to all of you who have already re-upped! 

And in May – because we know it will be here before we realize it – 

May 19 – 2 pm – Echoes from the Past – African American Voices at Gettysburg walking tour – led by Deb McCauslin. 

“Every year, thousands visit Gettysburg, home of the famous battlefield and the cemetery where Abraham Lincoln uttered the immortal words that gave the battle a higher meaning. Now hear the story from the point of view of local people of color whose lives were changed by these momentous events.” – Deb McCauslin, local historian. 

The 1.5 – 2 hour walking tour will meet in front of the Gettysburg Hotel. Space is limited; register at the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County, 909 Fairfield Road, or contact the Front Desk at 717-334-9171, ext. 0 to register. Cost is $10 per person, payable at the time of registration; the tour is sponsored through the generosity of the Gail and Peter Hull Fund at the ACCF and MIKO Interior Design, York.

Out and About –

April 3 – 6 pm – Mara Auditorium – Gettysburg College – Dr. Michael Stein – The Pursuit of Happiness – Presented by the Departments of Public Policy and Health Sciences at GBC – Contact Christopher Rick at ude.grubsytteg@kcirc with questions. 

Gettysburg For Gun Sense – will be participating in CeaseFire PA’s annual Advocacy Day to have their voices heard in Harrisburg on Tuesday, May 7, 9-3:30 at the State Capitol and will also be present on Saturday, May 11 at the Rec Park, 8-1, during the Healthy Adams County Health Fair to share information on proposed safe gun storage and extreme risk protection order legislation as effective ways to reduce gun suicide.

There will be an Earth Day Workday/trash pickup at the Rec Park on Saturday, April 20, from 8 to 9:30, followed by tree planting and tree maintenance from 10 to 12. 

Gettysburg College Office of Diversity and Inclusion: March 25-29 is Peace and Justice Week at Gettysburg College, which has special daily events, including speakers, music, art, and theater. On Thursday, March 28, at 7:30, acclaimed blues guitarist Cory Harris will present a free concert at the Majestic Theater at 7:30. Please reserve your ticket at the Majestic box office.

Peace Camp will again be the first week of June at Vida Charter School, led by Melissa Rosenberger. Registration is through ICPJ’s website: icpj-gettysburg.org. 

 Manos Unidas—The annual Dia del Nino (Kids’ Day) will be held on Sunday, April 28, from 12 to 5 at Vida Charter School. There will be games and other fun activities for families.  

There will be a fund-raiser dinner to benefit MU on Monday, May 6, at 6 at UUG church. Yeimi Bautista will cook the food. A freewill donation is requested from those attending. Please contact the church if you plan to attend so Yeimi knows how much food to prepare: moc.liamg@grubsytteguu.

Lifelong Learning – The April programs are as follows: Friday, April 12, the film “Post-War Hopes, Cold War Dreams.” The speaker on Friday, April 26, speaker Jeff Colvin, nuclear physicist and writer, on “Avoiding Apocalypse: How Science & Scientists Ended the Cold War.” All programs take place at 2 pm in the Wellness Café at SpiriTrust Retirement Village.

The United Lutheran Seminary Spring Convocation is Wednesday, April 24. The keynote speaker will be bestselling author and award-winning podcaster Kate Bowler, PhD. She will speak at 1 pm about her experience receiving a serious cancer diagnosis and how she has worked her way back to health and is living a full life despite challenges. Her lecture will also be live-streamed on YouTube. Register at www.unitedlutheranseminary.edu.    

The new Thaddeus Stevens Museum will hold its grand opening on Thursday, April 4, from 5 to 7 pm at 46 Chambersburg Street. 

Moving Circles: Networking for Social Change is sponsoring a presentation titled Reaching Across the Racial Divide-Two Stories, One Family, on Tuesday, April 30, at 7 pm at Carlisle United Methodist Church in Carlisle. The speakers, one White and one Black, discovered they are connected through slavery, explored difficult truths, and embarked on a path toward reconciliation. 

 And, finally, remember you can recycle glass food/beverage containers on Saturday, April 6, from 9-12, and every first Saturday of the month at the Emergency Services Center on Greenamyer Lane, off Granite Station Road.