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Author Archives: smaxreisert
As Holy Week Begins 2021
I have unexpectedly mixed feelings as we embark on this year’s Holy Week. Holy Week is usually a week that I look forward to. It’s a time to think deeply about important theological issues, and a time when there are … Continue reading
The Covid Year
Over the last few days, lots of people, news outlets and other organizations have been spending time in reflection mode. It’s been a year of dealing with Covid. A whole year. Where were you when you heard the news that … Continue reading
Please Don’t Try to Curate My Faith Experience
The word “curate” (and its relatives) seems to be everywhere. Playlists are “curated,” as are skin care products, vacations, restaurant menus, and just about everything else. For those of us who’ve been around for a while, “curate” (and its relatives) … Continue reading
Posted in Misc
Tagged curate, curated, faith experiences, overuse of the word curate
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Bringing Thankfulness for Today into Tomorrow
Old South held its first ever virtual annual meeting this past Sunday. It was a nice, neat and short meeting. As with any normal annual meeting, we voted on a slate of officers and a budget for the coming year. … Continue reading
Diverging Prayers
The lead up to the Inauguration made me edgy and unsettled. After what had happened on January 6, I found myself wondering quite a lot about what might transpire as we approached the big day when Joe Biden and Kamala … Continue reading
Posted in Misc
Tagged Capitol Siege, Inaugural Benediction, Inaugural Invocation, Inauguration Day, January 6, prayer
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Let There Be Light. Please, Let There Be Light.
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
Reflections on Christmas in a Strange, Strange Year
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
Days of Our Nine Lives
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
If a Church Falls in a Small City, Does Anyone Care?
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
What Does the Future Hold?
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
