Category Archives: Misc

Guns, Violence and Church

Posted on November 11, 2017 by smaxreisert

Last Sunday, on a gloomy and gray afternoon, we gathered from a wide swath of Maine, representing various United Church of Christ congregations along the Kennbec Valley and the northwestern part of the state, up to the Canadian border. We … Continue reading →

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The Reformation at 500: Are We Reformers or Protesters?

Posted on October 28, 2017 by smaxreisert

For its 500th anniversary, the Reformation has been receiving a lot of attention—in the media (even The New Yorker, see “The Hammer” in the current, October 30, 2017 edition); in denominations; and, in local churches. Of course, the moment 500 … Continue reading →

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Me Too, and the Church

Posted on October 19, 2017 by smaxreisert

In the wake of the allegations against Harvey Weinstein—yet another powerful man accused of sexual harassment and/or assault—women have lit up social media with their “me too” stories. When I first heard about Me Too, I couldn’t help but wonder … Continue reading →

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Come Sunday Morning

Posted on September 18, 2017 by smaxreisert

It’s an oft heard lament of good church folk that there are too many things going on on Sunday mornings, things that get in the way of people going to church. Over the years, I’ve heard more than my share … Continue reading →

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What’s In a Name?

Posted on September 9, 2017 by smaxreisert

A few weeks ago, when my husband and I traveled down to Boston to pick up our daughter at Logan airport, I noticed a very large sign on a Roman Catholic Church along the way, in Revere. I’ve been noticing … Continue reading →

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Vacationing in Vacationland

Posted on August 19, 2017 by smaxreisert

There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and I will get to that in a few days, but right now I’m on vacation.  For the first time in many years,  my vacation has been spent almost entirely … Continue reading →

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Gen Synod #3: It’s Monday and I’m Tired

Posted on July 3, 2017 by smaxreisert

Although I enjoyed a slightly slower morning yesterday (Sunday), things started to pick up in the afternoon and—except for an all-too-short time for sleep last night—things have continued to move, even though most of the time I’m sitting. Sunday afternoon’s … Continue reading →

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United Church of Christ General Synod 2017– Day One

Posted on July 1, 2017 by smaxreisert

It’s Day One of the United Church of Christ General Synod, gathering in Baltimore, MD. A long, string of words pop into my head as I think about this day. Most of those words have something to do with the … Continue reading →

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The Great Commission in the Old Mainline

Posted on June 16, 2017 by smaxreisert

This past Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost aka “Trinity Sunday,” we at Old South focused on the lectionary passage from Matthew—The Great Commission, “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” and “I’ll be with you until the end … Continue reading →

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Old and New, and the Problem of Judgment

Posted on May 25, 2017 by smaxreisert

I recently attended a lecture given by Diana Butler Bass. In her remarks, she talked about the “old” way of doing church—living out and expressing the Christian faith (which is the way that the Church has been Church for a … Continue reading →

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