Author Archives: smaxreisert

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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.

Not Counting Pets (or puppets)

Posted on April 1, 2020 by smaxreisert

And those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.        Matthew 14:21 Old South has now held two online worship services, one on March 22 and the other this past Sunday, March 29.  … Continue reading →

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It’s Time to Self-Isolate . . . from the New York Times

Posted on March 23, 2020 by smaxreisert

Like a lot of people, my usual morning follows a routine.  First, coffee. Second, make toast.  Third, drink coffee.  Fourth, say good morning to others who may be in the kitchen at the same time.  Fifth, open computer, review the … Continue reading →

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Can This Old Dog Learn New Tricks?

Posted on March 18, 2020 by smaxreisert

Ministry in the Age of COVID-19 My twenty-year-old son blames his twenty-three-year-old sister for everything that is happening in the world, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.  For Christmas, Margaret gave her brother a t-shirt from Venice, Italy (where … Continue reading →

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A Sad Day

Posted on March 4, 2020 by smaxreisert

When I was a younger woman, I felt confident that at some point during my lifetime, the United States would elect a president who happened to be a woman—or perhaps because she was a woman (women generally possessing many excellent … Continue reading →

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A Lenten Discipline 2020

Posted on February 27, 2020 by smaxreisert

I tell you, on the day of judgement you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.  Matthew 12:36-37 Lent … Continue reading →

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Getting My Non On

Posted on February 15, 2020 by smaxreisert

At some point during this year’s annual meeting at Old South, I experienced a moment—an instance that I can only describe as almost terrifying.  I was looking out at the assembled group of good, dedicated church folk and realizing that … Continue reading →

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Identity Crisis

Posted on January 31, 2020 by smaxreisert

Last Sunday’s sermon was on unity, focusing on the lectionary passage from the beginning of First Corinthians. The title of my sermon was “Give Me a U.” The plan was to talk about Paul’s encouragement regarding unity, to remind us … Continue reading →

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Don’t Sit There!

Posted on January 11, 2020 by smaxreisert

And you may ask yourself, well How did I get here? —Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime During my homily last Sunday, on our first winter worship service of the season in Old South’s parish house (where worship is a … Continue reading →

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The Heartbreak of Christmas 2019

Posted on December 27, 2019 by smaxreisert

At Old South, Christmas Eve has become the most unwelcome and dire of bellwethers. When I began my ministry with Old South, in 2005, I heard quite a lot about the annual Christmas Eve service. The bell choir would play … Continue reading →

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Do I Need to Write About This?

Posted on December 21, 2019 by smaxreisert

Do I Need to Write About This? That was the first thought that entered my fuzzy head when I woke up to the news that the President had been impeached. I don’t want to write about this. It’s Christmas; I’ve … Continue reading →

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