Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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A Whole New Awareness of the Challenges of Recognition

Posted on September 16, 2019 by smaxreisert

Many of the Gospel resurrection accounts include a failure of recognition.  Even some of Jesus’ closest friends do not recognize the Risen Christ at first.  Mary mistook him for the gardener, according to John, until he spoke her name.  In … Continue reading →

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A Few Thoughts on Buildings and Churches

Posted on July 13, 2019 by smaxreisert

During my recent vacation, my husband and I found ourselves with a few unexpected hours in Aberdeen, Scotland. While wandering around the city, we noticed a few church buildings (not really a surprise; we tend to notice church buildings everywhere … Continue reading →

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Vacation!

Posted on June 18, 2019 by smaxreisert

My husband and I are off to Scotland for almost three weeks to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.   If you would like to see what we are up to: Susan and Joe Scotland 2019

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Get Outside and Look Up

Posted on June 18, 2019 by smaxreisert

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the star that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Psalm 8 This small … Continue reading →

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Understanding the Limits of Welcome

Posted on May 23, 2019 by smaxreisert

This past Sunday was one of the more bizarre worship experiences I’ve had during my relatively long tenure as pastor and teacher at Old South Church in Hallowell, Maine. Let’s set the scene: The previous Sunday was Children’s Sunday and … Continue reading →

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Rules of Engagement, Part 1

Posted on February 16, 2019 by smaxreisert

A recent article in the local newspaper highlighted a protest at the Maine State House—clergy protesting the separation of families at the border. I recognized a couple of the clergy who were present. My first response was to wonder why … Continue reading →

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Do Politics Belong in Church?

Posted on September 25, 2018 by smaxreisert

I have an essay in the current Christian Century, part of a series of essays on politics and church.  Click here to check it out!

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The Island Life

Posted on August 29, 2018 by smaxreisert

Most years, a bit of my summer vacation involves spending time with old friends on an island off of the Maine coast. The island has no electricity and, except for rainwater collected in cisterns to assist with washing dishes, no … Continue reading →

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The Changing Ways of Devotion and Worship

Posted on April 28, 2018 by smaxreisert

Recently, I spent a few days in New York City, as a mini-vacation and as a way to step away from my usual mundane life in the middle of Maine to experience a little, as we Mainers would say, “cul-cha.” … Continue reading →

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