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.

Let There Be Light. Please, Let There Be Light.

Posted on January 7, 2021 by smaxreisert

Living, as I do, in a nice house with large windows that offer a considerable view onto a vast open section of Great Pond (one of the Belgrade Lakes in central Maine), I have a familiar relationship with light.  Now … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Christmas in a Strange, Strange Year

Posted on December 23, 2020 by smaxreisert

In the midst of pandemic, a divided country, and the prospect of a Patriots-less NFL playoff season, it’s hard to know how to think about Christmas.  On the one hand, keeping things as close to normal is appealing.  Church gatherings … Continue reading →

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Days of Our Nine Lives

Posted on December 16, 2020 by smaxreisert

At Old South, Advent season is also budget season.  Budget season coincides with preparation for our annual meeting that is held every year at the end of January.  On many occasions over the course of my long tenure at Old … Continue reading →

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If a Church Falls in a Small City, Does Anyone Care?

Posted on November 24, 2020 by smaxreisert

Hallowell, Maine is a very small city in the middle of the state, just south of the capital, Augusta.  The mighty Kennebec River serves as the boundary on the eastern edge of the city that is home to about 2500 … Continue reading →

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What Does the Future Hold?

Posted on November 13, 2020 by smaxreisert

Before the pandemic hit, the governing board of Old South Church had begun the slow, unwelcome business of exploring Old South’s future.  With two buildings, and a shrinking congregation, we had important questions and issues to discuss.  The questions and … Continue reading →

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The Season of Woe

Posted on October 29, 2020 by smaxreisert

Four years ago, as we approached the 2016 election, I started to worry about what was happening around me, in the church I was serving, the community in which I lived, and in the wider community.  On the one hand, … Continue reading →

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Is This What Happened When Churches Moved from Houses to Buildings?

Posted on October 14, 2020 by smaxreisert

At Old South, we are continuing our online existence.  Worship, meetings, gatherings, even pastoral care are all now remote, and mostly on Zoom.  Despite no community transmission of Covid in these parts, we’ve been reluctant to move to in-person gatherings.  … Continue reading →

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The Toll

Posted on September 30, 2020 by smaxreisert

On a Saturday early in September, I got the call that the church matriarch was gravely ill.  On Sunday, I went to the hospital to see her and to be with her family.  On Monday, I was on the phone … Continue reading →

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For Louise

Posted on September 9, 2020 by smaxreisert

Like many churches, Old South had a matriarch.  I use the past tense here, as our matriarch passed away a few days ago.  It’s a very sad time for Old South.  In the midst of the many challenges we face, … Continue reading →

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The Looming Season

Posted on August 25, 2020 by smaxreisert

There always seems to be a certain moment, sometime in August, when the end of summer comes into focus.  I’m not sure what exactly happens, but it always feels like there’s a clear turn in the sense of the season.  … Continue reading →

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