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.

As Maine Goes? Heaven Help Us

Posted on November 14, 2016 by smaxreisert

Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. Ephesians 4:26 A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11 But now you must get rid … Continue reading →

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The Day After: 11/9/16

Posted on November 9, 2016 by smaxreisert

In the last couple of weeks, as I listened to more than a few parishioners share their worry and concern not so much about Election Day itself, but its aftermath, I scheduled a prayer circle for Election Day at noon. … Continue reading →

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This Writing Life, Part 2

Posted on November 2, 2016 by smaxreisert

Last year, at about this time, I wrote a blog post on my wonderful experience at a weeklong clergy writing workshop. I had the great privilege to attend this year as well. Different characters this time around, but the same … Continue reading →

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Exciting: A New Word for Our Small Church Vocabulary

Posted on October 25, 2016 by smaxreisert

Today, I received one of those wonderful, rare emails, a sort of email that doesn’t land in my inbox very often, an email to cherish and keep, especially when things get difficult, which they are bound to do. Today, I … Continue reading →

Posted in On the Hopeful Side | Tagged | 1 Comment

Small Church, Big Sanctuary

Posted on October 13, 2016 by smaxreisert

While Old South is certainly one of those churches that wonders quite a lot about what the future will hold—with our small numbers, our difficulties in maintaining and paying for staff, worries about the demands of our physical plant, etc.—Old … Continue reading →

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Who Are We? Why Are We Here?

Posted on October 4, 2016 by smaxreisert

When Admiral James Stockdale, Vice Presidential candidate in 1992, asked in the Vice Presidential debate, “Who Am I? Why Am I Here?” he was mocked mercilessly. His questions, though, actually were, and are, very important ones, questions that we all … Continue reading →

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The Ugly Reality of Sexism

Posted on September 26, 2016 by smaxreisert

There’s something about presidential campaigns—no matter who’s running—that causes me to want to stick my head in the sand, or to go to a faraway place (which I have done—in 2004 and 2008), just so I don’t have to witness … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | 1 Comment

Signs of New Life in the Midst of Unwelcome Growth

Posted on September 15, 2016 by smaxreisert

There’s something growing at Old South. Something terrible, horrible, unspeakable. Something that we don’t need or want. It’s like a cold slap in the face, as the community struggles to figure out whether or not it can grow the congregation. … Continue reading →

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The Christian and Days of National Tragedy

Posted on September 8, 2016 by smaxreisert

When my daughter was very young, it was not uncommon for older adults, in places like church, to engage in a little conversation with her. These adults asked questions that are often asked of small children— about how old she … Continue reading →

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Worship in Paris

Posted on August 30, 2016 by smaxreisert

This year’s family vacation took us to France. The first week was spent with extended family in eastern France, along parts of the Saone and the Rhone rivers. Then, my husband, children and I spent a few days in Paris … Continue reading →

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