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Author Archives: smaxreisert
It’s Time to Self-Isolate . . . from the New York Times
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
Posted in Misc, My Life as Pastor
Tagged COVID-19, Crisis, Do not fear, faith and panic, Fear not, Jesus and crisis, New York Times, Social Distancing
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Can This Old Dog Learn New Tricks?
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
Posted in My Life as Pastor
Tagged COVID-19, ministry during pandemic, online worship, Small church
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A Sad Day
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
Posted in Misc
Tagged Elizabeth Warren, Hillary Clinton, presidential primary, sexism in the Church, woman as president
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A Lenten Discipline 2020
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
Posted in Holy-Days
Tagged Clergy, gossip, Lent 2020, Lenten discipline, Maine Conference United Church of Christ
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Getting My Non On
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
Identity Crisis
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
Posted in Doomed, My Life as Pastor
Tagged Christian unity, United Church of Christ, Unity
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Don’t Sit There!
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
Posted in My Life as Pastor, On the Hopeful Side
Tagged Church decline, Epiphany, Holy Spirit, hope in the midst of church decline, Signs, Stars
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The Heartbreak of Christmas 2019
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
Posted in Holy-Days
Tagged Christmas, Christmas Eve, Church decline, least religious, Maine, Old South Church Hallowell
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Do I Need to Write About This?
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
Posted in Holy-Days
Tagged Christmas, impeachment, Old South Congregational Church Hallowell, President Trump
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The Neighborhood that Wasn’t Allowed in My House
We are in the throes of a renewed consideration, examination and all-around reminiscence of (and perhaps yearning for) Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, the children’s show that ran on PBS from 1968 to 2001. Last year, there was a documentary on the … Continue reading
