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.

Our Children Are Not the Enemy

Posted on February 24, 2018 by smaxreisert

My 18-year-old son is a senior in high school. On the day after the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, as my son gathered his things to head to school, I went to give him a hug good-bye. He tensed … Continue reading →

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To Give Up or Take Up?

Posted on February 16, 2018 by smaxreisert

I’ve always had a rather awkward relationship with Lent. I remember when I was in high school, the season of Lent had an almost athletic contest vibe to it. My youth group friends and I would usually decide to give … Continue reading →

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The Heisman Approach to Christian Theology

Posted on February 8, 2018 by smaxreisert

Many years ago, when I was in graduate school, there was a saying that became part of the language of my group of friends: “the Heisman.” You may be familiar with the Heisman Trophy, awarded each year to the most … Continue reading →

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Where the Epiphanies Have No Name

Posted on January 28, 2018 by smaxreisert

At the start of Epiphany season this year, I innocently asked (at least I thought it was an innocent question) for those who had assembled for worship that Sunday to think about epiphanies that they had experienced. The empty looks … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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