Join in Observing Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday

The first Sunday of Lent, March 1st, will be the third annual Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday. This special day is an opportunity for Episcopal congregations to engage with the Episcopal Church’s ongoing commitment to fighting extreme poverty and disease worldwide. To guide parishioners through this season, and help them to explore their spiritual connections to people living in poverty, Episcopal Relief & Development developed a Lenten Devotional, adapted from the Rev. Barbara C. Crafton’s Almost-Daily Emos. For the first time, the devotional is available online in Spanish at www.er-d.org/Lentenresources. Supporters can also sign up for daily, electronic Lenten Meditations at www.er-d.org. 

“Lent is a time for reflection, meditation and prayer. I hope that on the first Sunday in Lent, Episcopalians will put their faith into action by joining Episcopal Relief & Development’s work in support of the Millennium Development Goals,” said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development.

Congregations are encouraged to have a special offering on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday to benefit the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund. This fund implements programs to fight malaria and other preventable diseases in Africa and Asia, and provides basic health care, health education, and sanitation systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. These programs can drastically impact global poverty and prevent millions of unnecessary deaths. Episcopal Relief & Development is nearing the goal of raising $3 million by the end of 2009. With strong support from individuals, churches and dioceses on Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday, this goal can be reached. Click here for a bulletin insert.

At their diocesan conventions, over twenty dioceses have officially adopted resolutions to annually commemorate Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday. Many other dioceses are considering passing this resolution in 2009.

“We anticipate that a resolution for a Church-wide designation of Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday will be considered at the 76th General Convention,” said Rob Radtke. For more information about adopting this resolution, contact Brian Sellers-Petersen, Director of Church Engagement Programs at bpetersen@er-d.org.”

Ideas about how to celebrate Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday are available at www.er-d.org/ERDSunday_CT. For prayer cards, hope chests, brochures and other resources, call Episcopal Books & Resources at 1.800.903.5544 or visit www.er-d.org/OrderMaterials.

To help Episcopal Relief & Development achieve the Millennium Development Goals, please visit www.er-d.org or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief & Development, “MDG Inspiration Fund” PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church of the United States. As an independent 501(c) (3) organization, Episcopal Relief & Development takes its mandate from Jesus’ words found in Matthew 25. All programs work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Together with the worldwide Church and ecumenical partners, Episcopal Relief & Development strengthens communities today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. We rebuild after disasters and empower people by offering lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger and disease, including HIV/AIDS and malaria.