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Building the Kingdom of God Together ... Our Ministries: Rock
Haven Christian Camp Weekday
Religious Education Christian
Contender Newsletter
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Weekday Religious Education Putting Prayer and Bible Reading back in the Public School!
YES! It is true! Public school students still have the opportunity to pray, read the Bible, and learn about Jesus. We have this privilege due to one of the best kept secrets or ‘‘overlooked opportunities’’ in the country today. "Release Time Religious Education" has been available to churches and religious institutions since 1917. In fact, a law suit was filed against an organization in New York in 1952 to stop them from operating such a program. Their right to do so was upheld all the way to the United States Supreme Court. This case is still used as the standard by which all Release Time Religious Education programs are measured and judged today.Our program is called "Weekday Religious Education" or WRE. Once each week, children in the third, fourth, and in some schools, the fifth and sixth grades are transported by bus or walk to a local church or community center for Bible reading, prayer, and Christian instruction. The lesson time is anywhere from twenty to forty-five minutes in length and includes singing, praying, Bible reading, spiritual guidance, fellowship, and refres ments. Once the children arrive, they are led in singing, games, and Bible lessons. The lesson material is "non-denominational" in nature and covers basic Bible stories and events. Bibles are provided for each child to use while at WRE. Each child is also given a personal Bible to take home with them. These Bibles are provided from the general budget or by special donations from churches or individuals. The children are then returned to the public school to resume their regular classes. For many children Weekday Religious Education is the only opportunity they have for exposure to God’s Word and the Lord’s Church. Every year we hear of many children who begin attending worship on Sunday as a result of the WRE Program. Comments from Children about WRE "To tell you the truth, I don’t think I had been to a church over ten times but I wanted to go to church. The last time I went to church before I joined WRE was when I was seven years old. That’s the last time I remember going to church. But now I can go to church every Wednesday and my Mom and Dad might go Sunday." - Brady "WRE means a lot to me. It gives me a chance to learn about God. See, I don’t get to go to church, because I have tournaments every weekend. When I heard about WRE I was so happy. I am so glad that every Wednesday I have a chance to learn about the Lord. Thank you to whoever had the idea about WRE. Thank you very much! Bless You!" - Allisa "I love WRE! It means everything to me. Everyone there treats me real good and I love going. Sometimes I play WRE when I get home. Thank you for being so loving and caring." - Denise |
