Category Archives: United Church of Christ

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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In These Difficult Days

Posted on March 4, 2019 by smaxreisert

The news from Christendom these days isn’t good. The seemingly endless parade of revelations from the Roman Catholic Church is heartbreaking and disturbing. The recent signs of serious rifts in the United Methodist Church are also distressing. The Southern Baptists, … Continue reading →

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Stuck in the Middle with No One

Posted on September 19, 2018 by smaxreisert

In my work with the Maine Conference United Church of Christ, I currently find myself in the midst of a difficult situation just on the edge of crisis. One of the dynamics running through this situation (just one of many) … Continue reading →

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When Right Is Wrong (or, if not exactly wrong, not exactly right either)

Posted on August 7, 2018 by smaxreisert

Perhaps in response to a humid, but dry, summer in Maine, much of my reading this season has involved a lot of cold and ice. After watching the AMC series “The Terror” in the spring, I read the book by … 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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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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A Different Sort of Eclipse

Posted on August 25, 2017 by smaxreisert

I took a short break from my vacation last Sunday to lead worship at Old South. When I told the church secretary a few weeks ago that she could call off the supply search (for the first time in a … Continue reading →

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Where’s Christ in the United Church of Christ?

Posted on August 5, 2017 by smaxreisert

I recently attended a funeral (actually, a “memorial service”) at a United Church of Christ church not far from my own church. The service was for a woman I had known fairly well, a woman who was a very active … Continue reading →

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Post Synod Reflection #3: At the Edges of Our Big Tent

Posted on July 21, 2017 by smaxreisert

The United Church of Christ proudly declares, “No Matter Who You Are, No Matter Where You Are On Life’s Journey, You Are Welcome Here.” In reality, this is more a goal than a statement of fact. There are plenty of … Continue reading →

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Post Synod Reflection #2: Pointing Fingers

Posted on July 12, 2017 by smaxreisert

Do you remember that saying about pointing a finger? That while you are pointing your finger, you actually have three fingers pointing back at yourself? There’s a truth in that, and an aspect of that truth that is part of … Continue reading →

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