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.

On Essentialness

Posted on May 27, 2020 by smaxreisert

“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now for this weekend.” –– President Trump, May 22, 2020 (as quoted in the New York Times) Now that we are … Continue reading →

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The Strange Case of the Unpopular Bible Study

Posted on May 8, 2020 by smaxreisert

In my long tenure as Pastor and Teacher at Old South, Bible study groups have never been especially well-attended.  Over the years, I’ve led short-term as well as long-term groups, on a range of topics.  I’ve offered studies that have … Continue reading →

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I’m Working!

Posted on April 28, 2020 by smaxreisert

In the midst of all of the difficulties, uncertainties and unpleasantness of the current pandemic, one of the more minor issues, yet still a persistent one, is that I find myself being asked, one way or another, about what I’m … Continue reading →

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Easter Worship, In Captivity

Posted on April 16, 2020 by smaxreisert

The word that continues to loom large in my head, when I think of worship in this time of pandemic is the word “weird.”  It’s not an uncommon word, to be sure, and it’s not a terribly good word.  And, … Continue reading →

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A Not So Good Good Friday

Posted on April 10, 2020 by smaxreisert

We are well into our “stay at home” order that Maine’s Governor put into place April 2nd.  At Old South, we have been holding worship services, meetings and other gatherings online.  This new format isn’t perfect, but it has offered … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Hosanna

Posted on April 6, 2020 by smaxreisert

Homily for April 5, 2020, Palm Sunday                                                                    … Continue reading →

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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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