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.

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 | Leave a comment

Hope in Worship

Posted on April 13, 2013 by smaxreisert

During Lent at Old South, we engaged in a little “spring cleaning,” thinking about aspects of our church life that are very meaningful to us, that we want to keep, as well as things that are no longer meaningful, that … Continue reading →

Posted in Worship | Leave a comment

The Road to Emmaus

Posted on April 5, 2013 by smaxreisert

Some of my favorite Bible stories are post-Resurrection stories—doubting Thomas, the breakfast of fish and bread (both stories from John). My favorite is the Road to Emmaus story, from the Gospel of Luke. In the story, two of Jesus’ followers … Continue reading →

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Death and Life

Posted on March 30, 2013 by smaxreisert

A few years ago, I chose a Lenten theme that focused on the “death of the church as we’ve known it.” For all of the Sundays of Lent, I walked the congregation through the various stages of grief. I talked … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy-Days | Leave a comment

Embracing Our Identity and Status

Posted on March 23, 2013 by smaxreisert

Last year, my husband, son and I attended the bar mitzvah of one of my son’s closest friends, Gabe. Gabe had clearly worked hard to reach this point in his life and to accept the new responsibilities that were conferred … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine Cautionary Tales | Leave a comment

Church, Spirituality,and the Convenience Factor

Posted on March 16, 2013 by smaxreisert

A few weeks ago, I encountered a conversation between two women at the gym.  It was Ash Wednesday and both women were talking about how to get to church that day.  They didn’t seem to want to go, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life as Pastor | Leave a comment

Thoughts on a Birthday

Posted on March 8, 2013 by smaxreisert

I recently observed a birthday and I’m trying to confront that I am now officially in my late forties—or, as my husband would insist, in my very late forties. In terms of my age and my relationship with ministry, I … Continue reading →

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