It’s hard to believe that children will be back in school in less than two weeks. Their lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are swiftly drawing to an end even as they already have for many teachers and administrators.
While many students are eagerly awaiting the beginning of school, others are dreading it. Some lack friends or fear being bullied by other students. Others are already overwhelmed with difficult lives, and the demands of grades, peer pressure, and schoolwork only add to their stress.
Thankfully, in addition to caring teachers and guidance counselors, there is another resource to help students cope with their challenges. Weekday Religious Education (WRE) classes will again be offered to students in each of Shenandoah County’s elementary schools and can enable students to find hope, meaning, and purpose in life.
Last year’s fourth grade participants from each of the county schools expressed such joy and enthusiasm for what they experienced and were sad that the classes didn’t extend into fifth grade. And while that is still the case, the program has expanded to provide these free Bible classes to second graders this fall! (Third graders will be added for the 2023-24 school year.)
As household schedules anticipate the addition of bus routes, athletic practices, and homework, it’s time to enroll students for WRE. Since this is an opt-in program, parents must register their second or fourth graders by going to www.weekdayreligiouseducation.com and clicking on Sign Up or by calling 540-459-3661.
In accord with Supreme Court guidance, interdenominational instruction is conducted off school property at no cost to the school system and only for students whose parents give written permission. Children are bussed from their school to another venue close by including The Yellow Barn, Redemption Hill Church of the Nazarene, and Strasburg Presbyterian Church. Over 40 local churches support WRE and are working together to provide this godly training to our youngsters.
Lessons are taught from the Bible by trained teachers and also include enrichment activities to help students remember what they have learned. They will also learn to pray and sing songs that will help them remember how much God loves and cares for them. As children hear about God’s love and His good plans for their lives, many problems of self-esteem, emptiness, and sadness can be lessened or eliminated.
These classes offer students meaning and hope as well as the truth of God’s Word. They lay a solid foundation on which their other learning, and their lives, can be built. Bible lessons supplement and enhance the educational experience and reinforce skills such as geography, history, reading, language arts, as well as performing arts and character education.
Since saying nothing about God says a lot about God, children need to know that a loving God created them for a reason and loves them with an everlasting love. And while public school teachers are not permitted to discuss such things with students unless asked, WRE instructors have no such restrictions. They can and do openly share the joy of Jesus and pray with students who are facing difficult challenges.
Even if you don’t have a second or fourth grader, you can share this great opportunity with someone who does and you can pray for the success of this program. In addition, funds are needed to pay teachers and bus drivers, purchase instructional materials, and provide diesel fuel. Tax deductible contributions can be made to SCWREA and mailed to PO Box 634, Woodstock, VA 22664.
In an age where bullying and suicides have increased, students need to know how much God loves them and that He has good plans for their lives. They also need adults who can pray for and with them and encourage them no matter what they are going through. Please encourage parents to enroll their children now and be praying for God’s blessings on Weekday Religious Education, and more importantly on each young person in our community.
Blessings, George