To avoid religious persecution, immigrants came to America, and some settled in the eastern Lancaster County area. The Released Time program promotes religious freedom, respects the beliefs of others and provides children with an opportunity to connect with God.
“Our mission is to teach God’s word to public school students,” said Deb Reimers, who’s been the Released Time program coordinator for the New Holland Elementary School for 11 years. “They don’t have Bible classes in public schools. We’re an alternative for parents. The students enter the program with parents’ permission, and they leave the program with parents’ permission. State law allows for religious education for one hour each week during the school day. A lot of Lancaster County schools do it.”
Here’s how it works. The Released Time program is designed for New Holland Elementary School students in second, third, fourth and fifth grades. The students are picked up at 2:15 p.m. on 26 Thursdays throughout the school year by the Released Time mission, then transported to Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland, for an hour of religious instruction…