Episcopal Relief and Development has extended the deadline for ordering the 2008 Lenten Devotional to January 22, 2008.  Orders received on or by January 22 will be delivered before Ash Wednesday, February 6.  Any orders placed after January 22 will be advised to use express shipping methods which will incur additional costs. 

The 2008 Lenten Devotional is entitled“Seeking to Serve: A Lenten Exploration of the Millennium Development Goals.” The devotional features illustrations and meditations on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) contributed by the Rev. Jay Sidebotham, Rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois, and offers ways for parishioners to help achieve these life-saving goals.

To order Lenten Devotionals, please call Episcopal Books and Resources at 1.800.903.5544 or visit www.er-d.org/lent.

This year’s Lenten Season has added significance as the Presiding Bishop has declared that from now on, the first Sunday in Lent will be celebrated as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday. The Presiding Bishop has called on all congregations to dedicate a special Lenten offering and prayer for the work of Episcopal Relief and Development.  For the full text of the declaration, see http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_93366_ENG_HTM.htm.

All gifts received for Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday will be designated for the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund, which focuses on fighting deadly diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS and providing basic health care that saves lives in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.  For more information on the MDG Inspiration Fund, please see http://www.er-d.org/mdgif.

Episcopal Relief and Development has a number of resources available to help churches plan an ERD Sunday event. For more information, visit http://www.er-d.org/