Author Archives: smaxreisert

Unknown's avatar

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.

The Common Good

Posted on January 13, 2018 by smaxreisert

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the … Continue reading →

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

Big Questions the New Year Brings

Posted on December 30, 2017 by smaxreisert

The end of December, after Christmas has settled down, usually brings with it reflections of various kinds—looking back at the year about to end, and looking forward to what is to come, or may come, in the new year. For … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Leave a comment

My Christmas (Carol) Blues

Posted on December 22, 2017 by smaxreisert

I love Advent. Christmas, not so much. Right now, I’m wishing I could fast forward to Tuesday, and have Christmas behind me. It’s not Christmas itself that gets on my nerves. It’s mostly Christmas Eve and the annual Christmas Eve … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

I Could Use a Little Hope

Posted on December 9, 2017 by smaxreisert

When I discovered that I was pregnant with my first child, my immediate sense of happiness was quickly pushed aside by consternation at my lack of forethought. If the pregnancy went as expected, I would be giving birth in December—perhaps … Continue reading →

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

The Ways of Men, and Women, Politics, Power and Morality

Posted on November 25, 2017 by smaxreisert

The explosion of stories regarding sexual harassment and misconduct is unsettling, while it is also a sort of relief. Finally, this issue is getting some important attention. We find ourselves in not really new territory. But, we are certainly in … Continue reading →

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

Guns, Violence and Church

Posted on November 11, 2017 by smaxreisert

Last Sunday, on a gloomy and gray afternoon, we gathered from a wide swath of Maine, representing various United Church of Christ congregations along the Kennbec Valley and the northwestern part of the state, up to the Canadian border. We … Continue reading →

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

The Reformation at 500: Are We Reformers or Protesters?

Posted on October 28, 2017 by smaxreisert

For its 500th anniversary, the Reformation has been receiving a lot of attention—in the media (even The New Yorker, see “The Hammer” in the current, October 30, 2017 edition); in denominations; and, in local churches. Of course, the moment 500 … Continue reading →

Posted in History Lessons, Misc, United Church of Christ | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Me Too, and the Church

Posted on October 19, 2017 by smaxreisert

In the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein—yet another powerful man accused of sexual harassment and/or assault—women have lit up social media with their “me too” stories. When I first heard about Me Too, I couldn’t help but wonder … Continue reading →

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

I Can’t Throw and Catch at the Same Time

Posted on September 30, 2017 by smaxreisert

When the New England Patriots lost Super Bowl 46 to the New York Giants in 2012, Gisele Bundchen, supermodel and wife of the Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, angrily assessed the reason for the loss: “My husband cannot [expletive] throw the … Continue reading →

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

Come Sunday Morning

Posted on September 18, 2017 by smaxreisert

It’s an oft heard lament of good church folk that there are too many things going on on Sunday mornings, things that get in the way of people going to church. Over the years, I’ve heard more than my share … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Leave a comment