Author Archives: smaxreisert

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 Flight From Church

Posted on March 11, 2015 by smaxreisert

I was having dinner with some friends recently. Part of the conversation over our Mexican entrees involved the tale of a visit of a distant cousin, with whom one of my friends had recently connected. During the reunion of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Denominations/Christians | Leave a comment

The Lasts

Posted on February 26, 2015 by smaxreisert

My daughter is a senior in high school. Now that she’s officially got herself into college (Vassar) and she, her father, her brother, and I know that she’ll be going away, we’ve begun the parade of “lasts”—her last home high … Continue reading →

Posted in History Lessons | Leave a comment

The Builders

Posted on February 18, 2015 by smaxreisert

This month, we at Old South are celebrating the 225th anniversary of the gathering of Congregationalists in Hallowell, Maine. As we contend this month with another very snowy Maine winter, and the piles of snow that have just about completely … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings | Leave a comment

In the Cold, Cold North

Posted on February 9, 2015 by smaxreisert

A few weeks ago, I came upon this humorous cartoon: I was thinking about that cartoon yesterday afternoon, while I was snowshoeing near our house in Belgrade, Maine: There I am in front of our boat house. I’m standing on … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales | Leave a comment

We Must Sing a New Song

Posted on January 29, 2015 by smaxreisert

The Maine Conference United Church of Christ is the midst of implementing a new governance and staffing structure. I recently attended a meeting of the new Mission Council, which is intended to serve as the leadership council of and for … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor, Studies, Demographics, Reality | Tagged Maine Conference United Church of Christ | Leave a comment

What Are We Worshiping? Part Two

Posted on January 22, 2015 by smaxreisert

Good News to share this week. Last week, I wrote about my concerns that good church folk may be worshiping their building more than their Savior. At Old South this winter, we are worshiping in our parish house, located across … Continue reading →

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What Are We Worshiping?

Posted on January 14, 2015 by smaxreisert

A Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) not too far from where I live and work has closed. Its last worship service was held at the end of December. Everyone worried that the large, stately building in the middle of … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings | Tagged church closing, United Church of Christ | Leave a comment

Snow Day

Posted on January 4, 2015 by smaxreisert

In the years I’ve been at Old South, we’ve only had a handful of “snow days,” days when the weather is bad enough to cancel worship. We live in Maine, where winter weather can be a challenge. But, it takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales | Leave a comment

The Problem with Christmas

Posted on December 27, 2014 by smaxreisert

I have certain mixed feelings about Christmas. As a clergyperson, I find the holiday to be especially fraught. I not only have the usual craziness of the season—gifts to purchase for family and friends, holiday gatherings to attend and to … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Leave a comment

The Problem with Pageants

Posted on December 13, 2014 by smaxreisert

I want to like them. I want to like the annual Christmas Pageant. Really, I do. But, every year when this tradition comes along, I can’t help but cringe—at least a little. It’s not that everything goes horribly wrong, like … Continue reading →