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.

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Posted on June 28, 2016 by smaxreisert

During my annual visit to the doctor’s office not long ago, I was asked if I had any interest in getting connected with their new online “patient portal.” Sure, I told them. When I finally went to check it out, … Continue reading →

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

After Orlando

Posted on June 18, 2016 by smaxreisert

I’ve been experiencing a sort of numbness this past week—a weariness, lurking around the edges of despair. When I heard about the shootings in Orlando last Sunday, and then the number of people killed, I felt outrage and horror. Before … Continue reading →

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Agenda for the Last Day

Posted on June 11, 2016 by smaxreisert

It’s almost impossible these days to ignore the undercurrent of worry and concern at Old South, especially on Sunday mornings as we wonder how many people will join us for worship. The numbers keep going down. After a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Doomed, Studies, Demographics, Reality | Leave a comment

Nick Kristof Could Be Writing About the United Church of Christ

Posted on June 2, 2016 by smaxreisert

Over the last few weeks, Nick Kristof has written at least twice in the New York Times about the lack of ideological diversity on college and university campuses in the United States. Most colleges and universities seem to place diversity … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

Posted in Misc, Popular Culture, Movies, TV | Tagged , , | Leave a comment