Author Archives: smaxreisert

About smaxreisert

I'm a United Church of Christ pastor serving the small, faithful Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Hallowell, Maine. I was ordained in Massachusetts in 1995, moved to Maine in 1997 and have served the Hallowell church since 2005.

When Patience Isn’t Enough

Posted on December 1, 2021 by smaxreisert

I’ve started to notice, here and there, in little remarks or responses, the revealing of the idea that patience is the key to how we, as a church, will get through the pandemic. And, in that idea, the exposure of … Continue reading →

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In a Quiet Moment

Posted on November 11, 2021 by smaxreisert

I’ve always been fascinated by certain moments of quiet, like during a worship service in a sanctuary with a bunch of people in it and everything becomes so hushed, as if a veil of silence has descended. It’s not just … Continue reading →

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To Keep the Weariness at Bay

Posted on October 25, 2021 by smaxreisert

During the first years of my marriage and when my children were young, part of our annual family vacation involved a trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina to spend time with extended family.  Over the course of our … Continue reading →

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In Another Country

Posted on September 30, 2021 by smaxreisert

To prepare for a recent two-week trip to Italy, I tried to learn a little Italian.  Each day, I spent time with “the Owl” (aka Duolingo).  It didn’t help much.  When I got to Italy, I realized how little I … Continue reading →

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Telling Our Stories

Posted on September 10, 2021 by smaxreisert

I just returned from a two-week trip to Italy. The travel blog starts here: https://smritaly21.travellerspoint.com/1/ It’s a very interesting time in which to travel. My travel companions and I hatched the plan to go to Italy in late spring, when … Continue reading →

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Sound Complications

Posted on August 18, 2021 by smaxreisert

The transition to hybrid worship has been something of a trial.  While I’m comfortable holding worship on Zoom, and in person, it’s quite another thing to try to do both things at the same time.  I feel like all of … Continue reading →

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Days of Disconnection

Posted on July 30, 2021 by smaxreisert

During most summers, my husband and I spend several days with some friends on an island off the coast of Maine.  Getting to and from the island is a bit complicated, involving a ferry from the mainland to a large … Continue reading →

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The Ties that Bind, to a Building

Posted on July 20, 2021 by smaxreisert

In Colonial New England, the first public building erected in a settled town was usually something called a “meetinghouse.”  This building was used for gatherings, especially gatherings of the faithful for regular worship.  The concept of meetinghouse was intended to … Continue reading →

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Tending to the Aggression

Posted on June 26, 2021 by smaxreisert

But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive language from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8) This aggression won’t stand, man. (The Dude, The Big Lewbowski) I live in a part of the world … Continue reading →

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Give Me a Groan!

Posted on May 31, 2021 by smaxreisert

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our … Continue reading →

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