What a blessing it is to be wrapping up the third year of Bible Break (Weekday Religious Education or WRE) in Shenandoah County! In just a few weeks, nearly 100 students from all three county elementary schools will attend their last class for this school year and celebrate with certificates and an evening ice cream party.
Thanks to the prayers and work of many, God resurrected this interdenominational initiative to share Jesus with public school students and the first classes were taught to fourth graders in the spring of 2022. Last year we expanded into second grade and this year, it has been a joy for the WRE teachers to share Jesus with students from second, third, and fourth grades from each elementary school.
In accordance with Supreme Court guidance, the classes are held off school grounds and we are blessed to have the support and cooperation of The Yellow Barn, Strasburg Presbyterian Church, and Redemption Hill Nazarene Church in Woodstock as host sites.
This year, second graders have learned lessons from Genesis and Exodus while third graders studied Jesus’ parables and what it means to be a Christian. Fourth graders learned about Samuel, King David and other Israelite kings as well as about Daniel. All grades also had units focusing on the real meanings of Christmas and Easter.
No student participated without parental permission and one of those parents told us, “My daughter loves it so much! It is her favorite time of the week.” Another commented, “My child loves Bible Break and her siblings are looking forward to enrolling next year!” One other said that it is always the first thing her child tells her about on Wednesday evenings. We could go on, but I think you can begin to understand how much the children and parents love this amazing ministry!
In order to meet legal guidelines established by the Supreme Court in the Zorach v Clauson case, this ministry receives no public or government money and is entirely funded by churches, individuals, and businesses that believe Christian education is vitally important for today’s children. Funds are needed to pay teachers, aides, and bus drivers, put fuel in busses, and to provide learning materials.
The SCWREA Board is very grateful for all those who have been supporting Bible Break and we encourage others to become involved. Tax deductible gifts can be mailed to SCWREA, PO Box 634, Woodstock, VA 22664. It is crucial to have financial partners who believe in this ministry to keep it going and growing!
You can also support SCWREA by attending one or both concerts this May that feature three of the top groups in Southern Gospel music. The Hoppers will be at Antioch Church on Friday, May 24 at 7pm and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound along with Shenandoah County’s own PromisedLand Quartet will be in concert on Saturday, May 25 at 6pm. Tickets for both events can be purchased at www.shencoconcert.com or by calling 540-607-0140.
We are also planning a banquet this fall which will feature a silent auction, money cakes, and other fun-raising and fundraising opportunities. If you, your business, or your church would like to help underwrite this event or donate items, please call 540-459-3661. You can also call that number for information about how you can sponsor a student, a class, or a campus for a week, a month, or a full year.
SCWREA also needs teachers and aides for the 2024-25 school year. Job descriptions as well as applications can be found at our website which can also provide more information. The web address is www.weekdayreligiouseducation.com and parents can enroll their children there now for next fall’s Bible Break classes.
Our youth are facing many pressures and they need Biblical instruction more today than ever before. Thanks again to all who are supporting this vital ministry and please pray for all students, teachers, and administrators. Blessings, George