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Ideas and Resources for Your Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday

Please adapt these suggestions to suit the needs of your congregation, and be as creative as you like. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us.

Prior to the event:

  • Use our Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday checklist as a guideline.

  • Promote your church’s event by downloading, copying and distributing the bulletin insert.

  • Highlight the event from the pulpit in the preceding weeks. Put notices in your church newsletter and Sunday service leaflet and on your website. Use the suggested text in the announcement, adapting it to suit your church’s needs.

  • Create a team to coordinate Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday events.

  • Order red plate envelopes to collect a special Episcopal Relief & Development offering. Contact Episcopal Books & Resources at 1.800.903.5544 to place an order.

  • Create awareness by offering information on:

    • Episcopal Relief & Development programs and the different regions where we work — Use this information to educate your church on our worldwide Church partnerships that assist those in need.

    • Bishops Blend Coffee and Tea (Optional) — Serve our featured products at your coffee hour and on the day of the event. Educate your church on the importance of supporting Fair Trade, organic, shade-grown coffee and tea farmers. Order Bishops Blend by visiting our Online Store.

On Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday:

  • Make an announcement from the pulpit. Take a few minutes to highlight the importance of Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday and the special offering in support of the organization. This can be done by the Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday team, or by another lay leader or the rector. Use the announcement for suggested wording.

  • Collect an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday offering. If you have red plate envelopes available, place them in the pews for the special offering. Offerings can also be made using the bulletin insert response form (place in an envelope) or the response form and envelope included in the 2010 Lenten Meditations booklet. Let the congregation know about the importance of their contribution (see the announcement for suggested wording).

  • Include a special sermon and prayers in your service.

  • Use our Lenten materials to guide an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday Educational Hour, Adult Forum or children’s lesson.

Other Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday materials are available at Episcopal Books and Resources (EBaR). To order, call 1.800.903.5544. Please indicate that you are calling about an Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday celebration.

More resources are available on our Lenten Resources page.
 

Episcopal Relief & Development uses your financial gifts in the most effective ways possible to serve and support people suffering worldwide. More information