wfn.org | [ELD] Church Pension Fund portfolio declined in 2008 but investments 'well-positioned,' report says

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

>Episcopal Life Daily
>April 1, 2009

Episcopal Life Online is available at  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife.

>Today's Episcopal Life Daily includes:

* TOP STORY - Church Pension Fund portfolio declined in 2008 but
investments 'well-positioned,' report says
* TOP STORY - Message from Presiding Bishop featured in Easter Sunday
bulletin inserts
* DIOCESAN DIGEST - RHODE ISLAND: Bishop deposes priest who professed
to be a Muslim
* PEOPLE - Translation coordinator Thomas Mansella retires
* EDUCATION - In Virginia seminary lecture, Liverpool bishop calls for
common ethic within faith communities
* CALENDAR - Upcoming special events and services
* SPIRITUAL REFLECTION - April 5 - Palm Sunday - Year B
* DAYBOOK - April 1, 2009: Today in Scripture, Prayer, History
* CATALYST - Evangelism and Mission in the Age of Globalization

>_____________________

>TOP STORIES

Church Pension Fund portfolio declined in 2008 but investments
'well-positioned,' report says

>By Mary Frances Schjonberg

[Episcopal News Service] The Church Pension Fund's investment
portfolio declined by 18.8 percent in 2008, but still has
approximately $1.3 billion more in assets than liabilities, according
to a recent report mailed to fund participants.

"No one knows the duration of the current global economic and
financial problems, but the fund remains in an enviable position,"
wrote Dennis Sullivan, Church Pension Fund president, in a March 20
introduction to "Perspective," a periodic newsletter from his office.

"Despite the recent declines, the fund's reserves are sound and
benefits are secure," the newsletter said. "We do not know what the
next months will bring, but we believe the investment portfolio is
well-positioned for the long term."

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_106646_ENG_HTM.htm

>- - - - -

Message from Presiding Bishop featured in Easter Sunday bulletin inserts

The 2009 Easter message from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts
Schori is featured in Episcopal Life Weekly's bulletin inserts for
Easter Sunday, April 12. The message, in which the Presiding Bishop
speaks of the returning light of the resurrected Christ, is included
in English, Spanish and French.

Bulletin inserts may be found at

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/95270_ENG_HTM.htm

More Top Stories: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife

>_____________________

>DIOCESAN DIGEST

RHODE ISLAND: Bishop deposes priest who professed to be a Muslim

>By ENS Staff

[Episcopal News Service] Diocese of Rhode Island
(http://www.episcopalri.org) Bishop Geralyn Wolf on April 1 deposed
Ann Holmes Redding as a priest in the Episcopal Church.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_106650_ENG_HTM.htm

More Diocesan news: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>PEOPLE

Translation coordinator Thomas Mansella retires

>By Matthew Davies

[Episcopal News Service] The Rev. Thomas Mansella has retired from his
post as the Episcopal Church's translation services coordinator, after
serving four years in the role that has helped to raise awareness of
the vitality, growth, and mission of dioceses and congregations
"beyond the 'parochial' American borders," he says.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_106639_ENG_HTM.htm

More People: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>EDUCATION

In Virginia seminary lecture, Liverpool bishop calls for common ethic
within faith communities

[VTS] At the second annual Kreitler Environmental Lecture at Virginia
Theological Seminary March 30, Church of England Bishop James Jones of
the Diocese of Liverpool called for faith communities -- especially
Jews, Christians and Muslims -- to work together in a common ethic for
the future of the earth. Jones was invited to give the lecture at a
crucial time when the engagement of America is critical in achieving
an international agreement on climate change. For the last five years,
the bishop has been working with religious leaders in the U.S.,
helping to change hearts and minds about the environment.

Full story: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78650_106625_ENG_HTM.htm

More Education: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80263_93222_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>CALENDAR

A round-up of upcoming special events, services, concerts and diocesan
conventions taking place throughout the Episcopal Church is available
at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/calendar.htm

>_____________________

>SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS

>April 5 - Palm Sunday - Year B

(RCL) The Liturgy of the Palms: Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16; Psalm
118:1-2, 19-29/The Liturgy of the Word: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16;
Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)

>By the Rev. Kirk Alan Kubicek

[Sermons That Work] It is often questioned why Palm Sunday is also the
Sunday of the Passion. What starts off as what is sometimes called the
"Triumphal Entry" to Jerusalem at the beginning of the Liturgy seems
to race all the way forward to Good Friday by the end of the liturgy
of the Word.

The stock answer, of course, is that it's because so few people make
it their business to go to church on Good Friday to hear Saint John's
Passion. This way at least a Passion narrative is read and heard by
those who only come on Sundays.

Full reflection:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/sermons_that_work_106390_ENG_HTM.htm

More Spiritual Reflections:  http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

>DAYBOOK

On April 2, 2009, the church calendar remembers James Lloyd Breck,
priest (1818-1876).

* Today in Scripture: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/82457_ENG_HTM.htm

* Today in Prayer: Anglican Cycle of Prayer:

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/index.cfm

* Today in History: On April 2, 1234, Edmund was consecrated
Archbishop of Canterbury.

>_____________________

>CATALYST

"Evangelism and Mission in the Age of Globalization" from Episcopal
Asiamerica Ministries, edited by Winfred Vergara, 76 pages, paperback,
c. 2009, gratis

[Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries] This 80 page resource is for
individual and group study.  The articles are presented as an
introduction and study guide to help readers understand the reality of
Globalization and how it challenges us to do the work of the ministry
in this revolutionary context of our time.

To order: Episcopal Books and Resources, online at
http://www.episcopalbookstore.org, or call 800-903-5544 -- or visit
your local Episcopal bookseller, http://www.episcopalbooksellers.org

More Catalyst: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/83842_ENG_HTM.htm

>_____________________

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