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.

Can My Soul Be Nurtured by Cookies?

Posted on July 19, 2013 by smaxreisert

I love cookies. I love eating them and I love making them. But, a few days ago, I found myself needing to buy some cookies. An old favorite came to mind—Milano, made by Pepperidge Farm. I had no idea that … Continue reading →

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The Things We Don’t Talk About

Posted on July 13, 2013 by smaxreisert

My sermon series at Old South this summer is focusing on evil. Where does it come from? How does it interact with our faith? What does it mean to say that God is good? Why do bad things happen to … Continue reading →

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Flag Waving in Church

Posted on July 6, 2013 by smaxreisert

I like the 4th of July . . . when it lands in the middle of the week. That way, I can fairly easily get away with not including any patriotic songs during worship on one of the Sundays closest. … Continue reading →

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A Big Week?

Posted on June 29, 2013 by smaxreisert

On Wednesday morning, as I was helping my daughter with the last of her packing for summer camp, we were watching the coverage of the Supreme Court’s decision to end the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). My 16-year-old daughter asked … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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