tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941566034196038608.post8730945783707115629..comments2024-01-22T00:22:46.724-08:00Comments on Bishop Dan's Blog: Live From Quito 2 (Part B)Bishop Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00677552161067636954noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941566034196038608.post-87948016963308285352011-09-17T20:09:30.737-07:002011-09-17T20:09:30.737-07:00Yes but it is the blue collar middle class that is...Yes but it is the blue collar middle class that is diappearing in the American economy. Upper class and high middle class will probably survive.Bishop Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00677552161067636954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1941566034196038608.post-86235630553808579652011-09-17T20:00:18.516-07:002011-09-17T20:00:18.516-07:00My first response to your question is.....that has...My first response to your question is.....that has not been my experience in my many congregations. That being that the <br />Episcopal Church is filled with upper class, and high middle class members. I know that has been the image since the founding in the USA; but not in rural America.<br /><br />Our church is made up of 80% rural congregations of 150 or less memebers. This is do to the missionary efforts of our founders as they moved west.<br /><br />I have served in LA where the congregations were weathy, to the mid-west, where they were anything but, to the rural west where the working man, blue collar, was the norm of the Episcopal Churches. <br /><br />As we strieved to pay the bills, it was often said, "You have at least one Doctor, one Lawyer, one Millionaire and one political figure. The congreations I served had none of these.<br /><br />To your question Bishop, I will have to ponder and pray because I know it's truth and we need to seek new ways. Immediately I think, why don't we do it the way rural congregations do: Volunteer, make do, be inventive and resourceful, trust God and live and preach the Word out into the community as we all work, play and survive together.<br /><br />Too simple, I'm sure. Deeper reflections will come later.Ann Whitfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02180380871709769079noreply@blogger.com