Written by Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling
On Thursday afternoons from September through May, a group of dedicated volunteers gathers at Petra Church in New Holland to prepare for the more than 100 second through fifth graders who arrive by bus to attend New Holland Released Time.
A program of this size requires a large team of helpers. Nearly 20 of those volunteers are residents of Garden Spot Village, who faithfully attend each week to make a difference in the lives of children.
The ELANCO Released Time program, which includes New Holland Released Time and Blue Ball Released Time, is one of many across the United States. For nearly 80 years, Pennsylvania state law has allowed parents to request public schools to release their children for up to 36 hours per school year to attend religious education. Children must be enrolled in a registered program, independent of the school district, to be “released.” Volunteers work closely with the principal of the elementary school to choose a time during which the children don’t miss essential classroom activities.
Deb Reimers, a New Holland resident and member of Christian Fellowship Church in New Holland, has volunteered with ELANCO Released Time for 33 years. She started volunteering because she wanted her own children to participate in the religious education. Over the past three decades, she has ministered to thousands of children through Released Time. Released Time evolved into a family ministry; her daughter co-leads the New Holland program with her, and her grandchildren, who graduated from the program, have returned to volunteer.
Volunteers help to supervise the children during the Bible lesson, songs and prayer time. They also listen to the students recite the Bible verses they memorize. The students receive prizes for Bible memorization that can include free attendance to a summer camp. The volunteers are assigned to an age group and move through the program with them. This continuity helps to build trust and relationships between the children and their adult partners.
“I am so thankful for the volunteers from Garden Spot Village,” Deb says. “They are all so amazing.”
Bob Weiss, a Garden Spot Village resident since March 2017, volunteers faithfully on Thursday afternoons. He’s a “listener” and spends his time listening to a young boy recite his memory verses.
Marge Landis, a Garden Spot Village resident since April 2021, has been involved in the program for approximately 20 years. “Released Time has been a really rewarding experience for me. I didn’t go to the mission field, but I feel like God brought the mission field to me. It’s God’s word, His power and work in the children’s hearts that bring about good and the change in their lives,” Marge says.
Over the years Marge has created some special memories with two young women through Released Time. She met Larissa Torreulla and Paula Gautier as elementary school students. She encouraged them to learn scripture and both had the opportunity through Released Time to attend summer camp at Greenview Bible Camp. Marge’s encouragement meant a lot to the girls; when Larissa and Paula connected with CrossNet, Marge was there too, serving as their mentor through CrossJr. As the girls aged out of the mentorship program, Marge continued to stay in touch, inviting them to visit her at Garden Spot Village. Today, the girls are in college and are thriving; Marge is grateful that they still stop by to visit during their college breaks.
Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling for Garden Spot Communities, brings a wealth of marketing and storytelling experience. She is the managing editor for Destination Magazine as well as the co-host for Garden Spot’s Purpose in Retirement Podcast.