Tag Archives: Faith

Lessons I Should Have Learned in Divinity School: Mind Reading?

Posted on December 6, 2025 by smaxreisert

As Old South prepared itself for a major decision-making point and a special meeting of the congregation, the governing board thought it would be a good idea to offer a pre-game gathering, a time for people to ask questions and … Continue reading →

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Ridiculous, Stupid and Incredibly Scary

Posted on November 1, 2025 by smaxreisert

“We’re saving Christianity. We’re saving God. We’re saving the family unit. We’re saving the nation.” Eric Trump, on the podcast, “The Benny Show” (October 2025) It was a shocking moment, to be sure, when Eric Trump declared that the Trump … Continue reading →

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Confession, What Is It Good For?

Posted on August 24, 2025 by smaxreisert

As any good Christian ought to know, confession is in integral part of the faith experience. While I don’t think confession ought to be focused on beating oneself up for every shortcoming, especially to the point of mental, emotional and/or … Continue reading →

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Thirty Years On

Posted on May 13, 2025 by smaxreisert

Today is the thirtieth anniversary of my ordination. The big day happened after a long ordination process (I think everyone had a long process in the Metropolitan Boston Association of the then Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ; … Continue reading →

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The Way Ahead

Posted on May 6, 2025 by smaxreisert

Based on the sermon from Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, 5/4/2025. Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the … Continue reading →

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That Helpless and Hopeless Feeling

Posted on April 16, 2025 by smaxreisert

A week ago Saturday, I attended the Augusta, Maine version of a Hands Off Rally. Everyone seemed so awed by the thousands of people who showed up on a overcast, chilly and raw day. In applying for a permit, the … Continue reading →

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When the Quality of Mercy Is Decidedly Strained

Posted on January 29, 2025 by smaxreisert

“The quality of mercy is not strained.It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice Who knew that mercy would be … Continue reading →

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Me and My Misanthropy

Posted on January 15, 2025 by smaxreisert

Confession/Admission: I’ve always been a bit of a misanthrope, suspicious of my fellow human beings, and sometimes just downright untrusting and disliking of them. When I completed my required-for-ordination unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in … Continue reading →

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The Shocking Absence of Pregnancy in the Season of Birth

Posted on December 5, 2024 by smaxreisert

The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), the three-year cycle of scripture readings (four readings per Sunday, usually one from the Hebrew Scriptures, one psalm, one epistle passage, and one Gospel passage) followed by many Mainline Protestant churches/denominations as well as the … Continue reading →

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What Do We Do Now?

Posted on November 12, 2024 by smaxreisert

Sermon preached at Old South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Hallowell, Maine, November 10, 2024. 28 One of the legal experts heard their dispute and saw how well Jesus answered them. He came over and asked him, “Which commandment is … Continue reading →

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