Dear <<First Name>>,
Do you ever see a sign and wonder-- why does that exist? Who came up with this?
I love asking questions and learning. I believe being curious is a good way to keep exploring and growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ!
In our sermon series, Finding our Way, we are exploring road signs and discovering the ways God is leading us.
Most of us know that the HOV lane means "High-Occupancy- Vehicle" meaning you can drive in a particular lane only if you have 2 or more and in some cases 3 or more people in the car.
We know it hasn't always been this way, because interstates weren't even around until the Eisenhower Administration.
How do I know that?
Because I saw a sign once and asked my parents about it.
They told me to look it up.
We didn't have Google back then, but I was a dork who absolutely loved our set of encyclopedias.
Yes, I knew how to have fun as a child (diagramming sentences AND reading encyclopedias!)
So when did HOV lanes begin?
The first freeway HOV lane in the United States was implemented in the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway in Northern Virginia, between Washington, DC, and the Capital Beltway, and was opened in 1969 as a bus-only lane. The busway was opened in December 1973 to carpools with four or more occupants, becoming the first instance in which buses and carpools officially shared an HOV lane over a considerable distance.
As gas prices soared in the 1970's attempts to curb gasoline consumption began in the United States. Speed limits were reduced from 65+ m.p.h. to 55 m.p.h., car manufacturers were told to make cars more efficient, and this high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes were constructed for three or more occupants.
Now, commuters could choose to adapt and utilize the HOV lanes, or drive solo and be in traffic longer.
HOV lanes were strictly enforced and drivers needed to abide by the HOV-4 and then HOV-3 rules or pay heavy fines. Soon, what became known as the "Slug line" was created (yes, you read that right, "slug line"). If a driver did not have enough passengers for the HOV lane, they would pull up to this "slug line" of commuters and offer a ride to anyone waiting. This was a better deal than paying for the bus or waiting in the heat or cold for the bus.
Would you pick up a "slug"?
Would you choose to pick up someone who you don't know, let them in your car, and drive them into the city?
Would you make room in your car and share the commute?
As I think about how the HOV lanes and "slug lines" emerged, I began to wonder:
Are we choosing to adapt?
Are we choosing to learn new things?
Are we willing to expand our understanding and let more people into our lives?
We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ - that means we share the gospel, it means we share our lives, it means we offer the world the love of Christ.
Sharing our lives is central to being disciples of Jesus.
My sermon for this Sunday is "Share the Road" based on Isaiah 58: 1-14; Mark 10:17-31.
I hope to see you Sunday in person or online for worship at 8:30 am (Online/In-Person) 9:45 am (Online/In-person), or 11:15 am (In-Person).
In God's Love,
Pastor Beth
I still love learning...AND I still have a set of encyclopedias.
If you want to learn more...
To learn more about "Slug Lines" click here.
To learn more about the history of the interstate system, click here.
To learn more about the history of HOV lanes, click here.
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 We will have five opportunities to worship this Sunday!
You can worship ONLINE for the Traditional Service at 8:30 am
You can worship ONLINE for the Contemporary Service at 9:45 am
You can worship IN-PERSON Indoors for the Traditional Service at 8:30 am and those who are Fully Vaccinated may worship without masks.
You can worship IN-PERSON Indoors for the Contemporary Service at 9:45 am and those who are Fully Vaccinated may worship without masks.
You can worship IN-PERSON Indoors for worship at 11:15 am. Those who are Fully Vaccinated may worship without masks.
We will continue to utilize our Health Acknowledgment Screening.
We ask you to be able to answer Yes to the following statements when you come to worship as we follow best practices.
1) I am not experiencing two or more symptoms of COVID-10.
2) I have not been in contact with anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
3) I have not tested positive for COVID-19, nor am I awaiting test results.
4) If I have tested positive for COVID-19 I have complete resolution of symptoms OR (if asymptomatic) I have completed 10 days of self-isolation.
5) I will immediately notify the pastor if within 5 days after attending this event I develop 2 or more symptoms of COVID-19.
We will not be asking people to show proof of vaccination, we will rely on the mutual trust we hold in one another as sisters and brothers in Christ and children of God in this worshiping community to love and care for another. We ask that if you are not yet fully vaccinated, that you wear a mask for the care and protection of those who are most vulnerable.
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To view the bulletin for this Sunday, click here!
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On Tuesday, September 21, the PRG (Post-COVID Reentry Group) met to discuss the rising delta variant and concerns regarding COVID infections.
The PRG Team is updating masks signs to reflect the following guidance:
Mask Preferred for Vaccinated
Mask Required for Unvaccinated
The PRG team asks leaders and volunteers to model these mitigations as much as possible to encourage safety for all.
To see the complete history of the mitigation process and the Mitigation Assistant Plan (M.A.P.) for Courthouse Community UMC outlined by the PRG please click here.
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Last week we had 132 people worship with us in-person, and 45 people worshiped with us on Facebook Live*! The church also received a total of $8,770.50 in giving both electronically and in person.
161 individuals were helped by the Storehouse Food Pantry and Midweek Meals returns this week! Praise God!
Thank you for joining us and for your continual support - see you on Sunday!
*The way we are collecting online views has been updated.
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During this time when we are physically distant from one another, we are still joined together in prayer.
Click on the image to the left to open our current prayer list!
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The deadline for submissions to the E-Circuit Rider is Wednesdays at 10 am. Please send any submissions to stepht@ccumc.net. Any submissions received after that time will be added to the following week's email.
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