Category Archives: Misc

Crowds and Community

Posted on August 31, 2022 by smaxreisert

My husband and I live in one of Maine’s lovely lake areas, a group of lakes and ponds known generally as the “Belgrade Lakes.” In the midst of this area is Belgrade Lakes Village, about a half hour drive northwest … Continue reading →

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The Man Who Made Such a Difference

Posted on August 19, 2022 by smaxreisert

In my many years of pastoring and preaching, whenever I’ve experienced difficulty in getting into a passage, searching for the kernel that would get a sermon going or help in wrapping things up, I’ve almost always turned to one person: … Continue reading →

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Screaming My Way Through Lent

Posted on March 19, 2022 by smaxreisert

At Old South this Lent, we are focusing on the women around Jesus. We are exploring stories about the women who worked with and were friends with Jesus. We are also considering stories of women, like the Samaritan Woman at … Continue reading →

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I Can See You

Posted on February 17, 2022 by smaxreisert

A very good friend of mine writes fairly regularly for a major newspaper. In a recent column, she included a brief reference to a trip to a museum and made note of an exhibit that she saw with her wife. … Continue reading →

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Telling Our Stories

Posted on September 10, 2021 by smaxreisert

I just returned from a two-week trip to Italy. The travel blog starts here: https://smritaly21.travellerspoint.com/1/ It’s a very interesting time in which to travel. My travel companions and I hatched the plan to go to Italy in late spring, when … Continue reading →

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Days of Disconnection

Posted on July 30, 2021 by smaxreisert

During most summers, my husband and I spend several days with some friends on an island off the coast of Maine.  Getting to and from the island is a bit complicated, involving a ferry from the mainland to a large … Continue reading →

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The Ties that Bind, to a Building

Posted on July 20, 2021 by smaxreisert

In Colonial New England, the first public building erected in a settled town was usually something called a “meetinghouse.”  This building was used for gatherings, especially gatherings of the faithful for regular worship.  The concept of meetinghouse was intended to … Continue reading →

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Tending to the Aggression

Posted on June 26, 2021 by smaxreisert

But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive language from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8) This aggression won’t stand, man. (The Dude, The Big Lewbowski) I live in a part of the world … Continue reading →

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Please Don’t Try to Curate My Faith Experience

Posted on February 27, 2021 by smaxreisert

The word “curate” (and its relatives) seems to be everywhere.   Playlists are “curated,” as are skin care products, vacations, restaurant menus, and just about everything else.  For those of us who’ve been around for a while, “curate” (and its relatives) … Continue reading →

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Bringing Thankfulness for Today into Tomorrow

Posted on February 11, 2021 by smaxreisert

Old South held its first ever virtual annual meeting this past Sunday.  It was a nice, neat and short meeting.  As with any normal annual meeting, we voted on a slate of officers and a budget for the coming year.  … Continue reading →

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