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.

What About Marketing?

Posted on June 22, 2013 by smaxreisert

Today is Packing Day. We are packing up the trunk of my teenage son. Tomorrow he leaves for seven weeks at a traditional boys camp in western Maine. It’s a place that he loves and is a home away from … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Leave a comment

The “D” Word

Posted on June 15, 2013 by smaxreisert

In those moments when I allow myself to consider my most worrying concerns about the present and the future of the church, I often think about one particular couple I know. Whenever I think of this couple, I cannot escape … Continue reading →

Posted in Doomed, Maine Cautionary Tales, My Life as Pastor | Leave a comment

When a Church Falls, What Sound Does it Make?

Posted on June 8, 2013 by smaxreisert

A Roman Catholic church in Waterville, Maine (where I live) was torn down recently. It had been closed as a church several years ago and then put up for sale. Although some suitors came along to consider buying the building … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Other Denominations/Christians | Leave a comment

Change

Posted on June 1, 2013 by smaxreisert

The Maine Conference United Church of Christ is holding their annual meeting this weekend in Farmington. The big word of the meeting is “change,” with the overall theme hovering (literally) over the stage: “Moving Forward in the Midst of Change.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales | Leave a comment

Acknowledging Our Vulnerability

Posted on May 25, 2013 by smaxreisert

Last week, Old South—the church I serve in Hallowell, Maine—experienced two deaths—one was a man who had moved to the area a few years ago and enjoyed singing in the choir until his health began to decline a few months … Continue reading →

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Getting Some Perspective, Part Two

Posted on May 18, 2013 by smaxreisert

Old South’s Sunday School experienced an extraordinary surge of growth in the 1950s. By the mid-1950s, the number of children enrolled exceeded 200. How to respond? Build a building, of course! And, the Parish House was built and opened in … Continue reading →

Posted in History Lessons | Leave a comment

Getting Some Perspective, Part One

Posted on May 11, 2013 by smaxreisert

A few years ago as I was rummaging around in the Old South archive (a large, fireproof file cabinet in my office), I came across an old Old South newsletter. At the time, the newsletter was called The Old South … Continue reading →

Posted in History Lessons | Leave a comment

The Value of Friendship, and the Church

Posted on May 4, 2013 by smaxreisert

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about friendship and, more precisely, the undervalued benefit of friendship and community. Our society, culture, and certainly the Christian church have long supported, encouraged and highlighted the value of family and the idea … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Leave a comment

Text Wrestling

Posted on April 27, 2013 by smaxreisert

For the past year or so, the organist of Old South and I get together every few months to plan worship. I choose scriptures and themes and then the two of us talk about what music—hymns, anthems, etc.—will support and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Leave a comment

Thoughts on the Boston Marathon Bombing

Posted on April 17, 2013 by smaxreisert

Someone on the news talked about how special Patriots Day is in Boston—and now it’s special in a way that no one wants. In Boston, Patriots Day is a special day. While most of the rest of the country is … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Tagged current-events | Leave a comment