The devotional, by the Rev. Jay Sidebotham, rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois, features illustrations and meditations on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and offers ways for parishioners to help achieve these life-saving goals.

Serving as a complement to the Daily Office Lectionary, the devotional invites Episcopalians "to reflect on the role of God's grace in their lives and how they may act as instruments of God's healing in a hurting world," according to an ERD news release.

"We are extremely proud of this year's publication and its focus on raising awareness of the Millennium Development Goals," said Robert W. Radtke, ERD president, in the release. "We hope that congregations nationwide will support our efforts worldwide to help our neighbors in need by participating in Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday."
 
The 2008 Lenten season will be a special one thanks to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's declaration of February 10 as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday, the release said.

In her declaration, Jefferts Schori said that ERD gives Episcopalians "the special opportunity to partner with the worldwide Church and people around the world who are addressing challenging issues in their communities"

"This work is worthy of the support of all Episcopalians, and the beginning of Lent is an ideal time for us to renew our collective commitment to it," she said in the declaration.  "Almsgiving is one of the traditional disciplines of the season and one of the ways in which we participate with Christ in walking to the foot of the Cross and into the light of Resurrection."

Jefferts Schori asked Episcopal congregations and members to dedicate a special Lenten offering and prayer February 10 for the work of ERD, noting that all money received will be designated for the Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund. The fund focuses on fighting deadly diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS and providing basic health care, specifically achieving MDGs # 4, 5 and 6.

"Episcopal Relief and Development is honored that the Presiding Bishop has designated the first Sunday in Lent as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday," Radtke said in a news release about the designation. "As we gather in churches this Lenten season, we should especially hold in our prayers the many people worldwide who live with the daily realities of hunger, disease, and poverty. One way to help people help themselves to overcome these challenges is by making a contribution to Episcopal Relief and Development's Millennium Development Goals Inspiration Fund."

"It is a tangible way to live out Jesus' desire that we serve 'the least of these'," Radtke added.

ERD is offering a bulletin insert, available here, for use on ERD Sunday.

To order the 2008 Lenten devotional and other ERD resources, call Episcopal Books and Resources at 800-903-5544 or go to http://www.er-d.org/lent. To ensure delivery by Ash Wednesday (February 6), orders for devotionals must be placed by January 14, the release said.

A 5 megabyte PDF version of the booklet is available here. Other ERD Lent-related resources are available for download here.

The complete text of the Presiding Bishop's declaration of Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday is available here.