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2017 SESSION

17100303D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 557
Offered January 11, 2017
Prefiled December 18, 2016
Commending the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association.
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Patrons-- Bell, Richard P.; Senator: Hanger
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WHEREAS, the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association, a nonprofit Christian organization, provides opportunities for daytime religious instruction to students attending public schools; and

WHEREAS, established in Indiana in 1914, Weekday Religious Education allows students in certain grade levels to be released from public schools to attend religious lessons at offsite facilities; courses are administered by independent, self-governing local councils made up of parents, pastors, and laity; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Council of Churches initiated Weekday Religious Education in the mid-1920s and the first classes were held in 1929; Virginia Weekday Religious Education classes are nondenominational and open to all students; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Weekday Religious Education lesson plans, which include Bible study, songs, scripture memorization, map study, and games, are consistently updated to demonstrate the relevancy of the Bible’s teachings to everyday life; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association was founded in 2009 and comprises representatives from every independent local council in the Commonwealth, a board of directors, and a state coordinator; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association receives no taxpayer funds or public money, relying entirely on generous donations and the hard work of dedicated volunteers; parents and community members may volunteer in a variety of ways, including as teachers, drivers, or maintenance workers for classrooms; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association oversees religious education opportunities in the Counties of Alleghany, Augusta, Botetourt, Frederick, Giles, Highland, Nottoway, Pulaski, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Smyth and the City of Waynesboro; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association for its work to enrich students’ lives with religious education; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Vernon Reynolds, president of the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the association’s longstanding mission.