Category Archives: Misc

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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Diverging Prayers

Posted on January 28, 2021 by smaxreisert

The lead up to the Inauguration made me edgy and unsettled.  After what had happened on January 6, I found myself wondering quite a lot about what might transpire as we approached the big day when Joe Biden and Kamala … Continue reading →

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Let There Be Light. Please, Let There Be Light.

Posted on January 7, 2021 by smaxreisert

Living, as I do, in a nice house with large windows that offer a considerable view onto a vast open section of Great Pond (one of the Belgrade Lakes in central Maine), I have a familiar relationship with light.  Now … Continue reading →

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The Season of Woe

Posted on October 29, 2020 by smaxreisert

Four years ago, as we approached the 2016 election, I started to worry about what was happening around me, in the church I was serving, the community in which I lived, and in the wider community.  On the one hand, … Continue reading →

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The Looming Season

Posted on August 25, 2020 by smaxreisert

There always seems to be a certain moment, sometime in August, when the end of summer comes into focus.  I’m not sure what exactly happens, but it always feels like there’s a clear turn in the sense of the season.  … Continue reading →

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Me and My Misanthropy?

Posted on August 6, 2020 by smaxreisert

In preparation for a weeklong clergy writing conference last year, participants were asked to submit a short essay on something that was on their minds at the moment.  Don’t spend too much time on it, we were instructed.  Write and … Continue reading →

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Apples, Oranges, and the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation

Posted on July 8, 2020 by smaxreisert

Several years ago, emails from the “Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation” started appearing in my inbox.  I had no idea why.  I had not asked for them.  But, there they were.  At first, I ignored them, or deleted them without opening … Continue reading →

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