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.

The Strength in Small Numbers

Posted on May 26, 2016 by smaxreisert

Every year, during commencement weekend at Colby College (where my husband is a professor), there’s a dinner to celebrate those receiving honorary degrees from the College. Faculty and administrators gather for this festive evening, during which each degree recipient has … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor, On the Hopeful Side | Leave a comment

Seeing Through Stars

Posted on May 17, 2016 by smaxreisert

I attended the GLAAD Media Awards this past Saturday evening in New York City with my very good friends Jenny and Deedie Finney Boylan. It wasn’t hard for me, as a person who lives life mostly as a country bumpkin … Continue reading →

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People and Places

Posted on May 12, 2016 by smaxreisert

During a recent visit to New York City, I visited the September 11 Memorial for the first time.  Like most adults, I remember exactly what I was doing and where I was when I learned of the attacks on that … Continue reading →

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What Else Can I Buy at Target?

Posted on May 4, 2016 by smaxreisert

In the strange debates that can pop up between liberals and conservatives, I often find myself, while not in agreement with conservatives, at least able to see how the point they are making may have come to be or why … Continue reading →

Posted in LBGTQ | Leave a comment

Politicians, Christians and Bathrooms

Posted on April 25, 2016 by smaxreisert

It’s hard to know how to make sense of the recent brouhaha around bathrooms that has taken hold in a number of state legislatures and on the presidential primary trail. During a rally in Maryland, Ted Cruz asked if we … Continue reading →

Posted in LBGTQ, Misc | Leave a comment

For Prince

Posted on April 22, 2016 by smaxreisert

There are certain artist/celebrity deaths that make certain people feel especially sad—not to mention mortal. This can be particularly acute when the celebrity is one’s age, or thereabouts, and/or when the work of the celebrity is associated with special memories. … Continue reading →

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A Church Story

Posted on April 17, 2016 by smaxreisert

Last Sunday, I attended the retirement celebration for the minister with whom I worked when I was a student minister while in divinity school, and then after I graduated, when I became the church’s assistant minister. My friend, and former … Continue reading →

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The Meaning and Value of Church Community

Posted on April 12, 2016 by smaxreisert

One of the more memorable family anthems for our family originally came to us somewhere along the New Jersey Turnpike, as we made the long journey from Maine to North Carolina in the summer of 2009. Our then young teenage … Continue reading →

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Getting a Grip on the Numbers

Posted on April 2, 2016 by smaxreisert

Just before Easter, the website realclearreligion.org included a link to a blog post from the Institute on Religion and Democracy entitled, “Financial Crunch Hits the United Church of Christ” (written by Jeffrey Walton). The post described the crisis in the … Continue reading →

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Happy Fear and Terror Day!

Posted on March 27, 2016 by smaxreisert

At Old South, we are following the Narrative Lectionary, rather than the Revised Common Lectionary, which means that we’ve been marching our way through the Gospel According to Mark for quite some time. We wrap up Mark today, Easter, with … Continue reading →

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