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Rex Kelly was in the first WRE class in 1936 pictured here with Robert Mcrea.

The Botetourt County Council of Weekday Religious Education is celebrating 74 years of Bible teaching to public school students. The program began on January 1, 1936, with the help of several people, including Mrs. Ethel Reid who recruited support from most of the Botetourt County churches at that time.
In other areas of the State of Virginia, WRE had been initiated in the Fall of 1929 under the leadership of the Reverend Minor C. Miller and the Virginia Council of Churches (VCC). After the Botetourt County Council of WRE was organized and began classes in 1936, it remained under the auspices of the VCC until 2008 when the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association (VWREA) was organized.
Although the Virginia Council of Churches was instrumental in initiating the WRE program in the state and had been very supportive of WRE for many years, the downturn in the economy had taken its toll on the budget of that group. Out of a deep concern for WRE's future affiliation with the VCC, some longtime supporters of WRE came together in Lexington to form the new state organization, the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association. The Botetourt County Council of WRE, along with twelve other county and city groups, has become affiliated with the VWREA and has discontinued direct ties with VCC.
At their Fall Dinner Meeting on October 26, hosted by the Buchanan Baptist Church, the Botetourt County Council of WRE recognized one of the members of the first WRE class in 1936, Mr. Rex Kelly. Rex has been one of WRE's most ardent supporters over the years and remains active serving currently as a Trustee.
WRE is offered in portable facilities just off the campus at each of the seven elementary schools in Botetourt County. It operates under a released-time program established by a U. S. Supreme Court case, the Zorah Decision, that dates back to 1952. Students attending WRE classes must have written parental consent. The Bible is the primary text for WRE classes and the program is supported solely by donations from churches, businesses, civic organizations, and interested individuals.
The official mailing address for WRE in Botetourt County is P. O. Box 451, Troutville 24175. Email inquiries about the WRE program may be sent to wrebotcova@gmail.com. Information about VWREA and its affiliate councils can also be obtained through the state website, www.vawre.org.

submitted by Rev. McCrea