Category Archives: Buildings

Fewer Buts Please

Posted on September 12, 2025 by smaxreisert

In recent weeks at Old South, as we contemplate yet another season without a viable offer for our real estate, there have been a number of discussions— large and small; formal and informal—about what to do next. Just keep on … Continue reading →

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I Haven’t Felt So Much Like a Teenage Girl in a Long, Long Time

Posted on July 31, 2025 by smaxreisert

The sanctuary building of Old South has been for sale for more than a year and a half. Over this time, the building has been visited and examined by quite a few possible suitors. A few have visited on multiple … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Christmas 2024

Posted on December 23, 2024 by smaxreisert

This Advent Season at Old South, even as we have moved through very familiar themes (focusing on the first chapter of Luke— annunciation, Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Mary traveling to Elizabeth to spend three months together, and finally, Mary’s song of praise) … Continue reading →

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Haunted

Posted on January 31, 2024 by smaxreisert

Over the last few years, as Old South has focused on how to move into the future with our shrinking congregation and our stubbornly unshrinking, and demanding, physical plant, people have had a variety of responses to the plans we … Continue reading →

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In the “Words Matter” Department

Posted on December 15, 2023 by smaxreisert

In November, the members of Old South Church in Hallowell, Maine gathered in a congregational meeting and voted to put the church’s sanctuary building up for sale. The church community had spent a great deal of time considering our various issues … Continue reading →

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What’s the Word?

Posted on November 11, 2023 by smaxreisert

The members of Old South Church in Hallowell, Maine will gather after worship tomorrow, Sunday, November 12, 2023, to vote on a plan put forward by the governing body of the church to put the sanctuary building up for sale. … Continue reading →

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Christianity, Not Churchianity!

Posted on August 22, 2023 by smaxreisert

My son recently arrived home after an almost five-month, 2200-mile journey hiking the Appalachian Trail.  No surprise, he had many tales to tell.  One story involved a man he met somewhere in the middle of the hike.  This man declared … Continue reading →

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Looking for the Opportunity in the Crisis

Posted on May 24, 2023 by smaxreisert

Last week, I read an article from NPR entitled, “The Faithful See Both Crisis and OpportunityAs Churches Close Around the Country.” (https://www.npr.org/2023/05/17/1175452002/church-closings-religious-affiliation) The article outlined the continued issues experienced in the Christian Church and its many denominations. More churches are … Continue reading →

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On Essentialness

Posted on May 27, 2020 by smaxreisert

“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important, essential places of faith to open right now for this weekend.” –– President Trump, May 22, 2020 (as quoted in the New York Times) Now that we are … Continue reading →

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Judging the View

Posted on November 6, 2019 by smaxreisert

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but … Continue reading →

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