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.

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 →

Posted in COVID | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Misc | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in COVID, Worship | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Misc, My Life as Pastor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Me and My Misanthropy?

Posted on August 6, 2020 by smaxreisert

In preparation for a weeklong clergy writing conference last year, participants were asked to submit a short essay on something that was on their minds at the moment.  Don’t spend too much time on it, we were instructed.  Write and … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Be the Church: Protect the Environment

Posted on July 22, 2020 by smaxreisert

A Meditative Slideshow on Psalm 8, using “Out of the Mouths of Babes” by Silvia Purdie [http://www.conversations.net.nz/] and photos by Susan, Joseph, Margaret and John Reisert

Posted in Worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Church in These Days—Hungering and Heartbreak

Posted on July 20, 2020 by smaxreisert

On July 8, the New York Times published a story entitled, “Churches Were Eager to Reopen.  Now They Are a Major Source of Coronavirus Cases.”  The article offered a litany of churches that reopened in various ways, some trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Apples, Oranges, and the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation

Posted on July 8, 2020 by smaxreisert

Several years ago, emails from the “Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation” started appearing in my inbox.  I had no idea why.  I had not asked for them.  But, there they were.  At first, I ignored them, or deleted them without opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment