Pastor Amelia's page "From the Heart..." offers weekly reflections, encouraging messages, and her monthly newsletter article.
October 5, 2026
YCTIWY or UCTIWU?
Either way, this is an anacronym for You Can’t Take It With You…but you can prepare ahead!
For three Wednesdays in October (it’s a scary month after all!), we will be covering end of life issues, funeral planning and communicating your wishes to those you leave behind. As soon after 6 as possible, we will meet in the Parlor to talk about some hard issues and have some honest conversations about death. Come prepared to think about what you really want for your end of life, funeral, etc. and complete some questions that will help you and your loved ones be prepared.
Because there will be a lot of handouts, I really need you to let me or the church office know if you are planning to participate. You don’t need to bring anything with you as many of these questions will require some thought, prayer and discussions with loved ones outside the church group.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to have a sealed personal file kept here at the office with some basic information such as your emergency contacts, end of life medical wishes, and funeral plans. We will only access these as needed and you are welcome to change them at any time.
All of this is to give you peace of mind so when the time comes, you won’t have to worry about the earthly things. You will also have peace knowing those you leave behind won’t be struggling with most decisions after you are gone. Of course, they will be grieving, but the tasks won’t seem so overwhelming.
Do we want to talk about these things? No. These are not pleasant conversations. But we know that we will all face death. In past years I have seen the effect on families, patients and friends when end of life issues become burdensome. In other ministry settings I have seen families torn apart when there is a clear lack of communication about funerals, estates, and heirlooms. I have also seen when plain ol’ grief makes it nearly impossible to make serious decisions and have observed outside forces cause havoc and financial burdens.
But I have also seen and taken part in beautiful celebrations of life when final plans are made clear and carried out. I remember getting a call from a local funeral home that a person from out of town was having a graves-side service and they had wanted a United Methodist clergywoman to do the service. I was honored and a bit worried. I didn’t know this person and they weren’t connected to my church. The funeral home had just googled United Methodist Churches in the area. During the service, which was actually well attended, I invited individuals to speak about their relationship and stories about the deceased. It ended up being one of the most powerful funerals I’ve ever done - all because of the deceased final wishes.
I hope you will make plans to make plans because we all know that UCTIWU!
Blessings,
YCTIWY or UCTIWU?
Either way, this is an anacronym for You Can’t Take It With You…but you can prepare ahead!
For three Wednesdays in October (it’s a scary month after all!), we will be covering end of life issues, funeral planning and communicating your wishes to those you leave behind. As soon after 6 as possible, we will meet in the Parlor to talk about some hard issues and have some honest conversations about death. Come prepared to think about what you really want for your end of life, funeral, etc. and complete some questions that will help you and your loved ones be prepared.
Because there will be a lot of handouts, I really need you to let me or the church office know if you are planning to participate. You don’t need to bring anything with you as many of these questions will require some thought, prayer and discussions with loved ones outside the church group.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to have a sealed personal file kept here at the office with some basic information such as your emergency contacts, end of life medical wishes, and funeral plans. We will only access these as needed and you are welcome to change them at any time.
All of this is to give you peace of mind so when the time comes, you won’t have to worry about the earthly things. You will also have peace knowing those you leave behind won’t be struggling with most decisions after you are gone. Of course, they will be grieving, but the tasks won’t seem so overwhelming.
Do we want to talk about these things? No. These are not pleasant conversations. But we know that we will all face death. In past years I have seen the effect on families, patients and friends when end of life issues become burdensome. In other ministry settings I have seen families torn apart when there is a clear lack of communication about funerals, estates, and heirlooms. I have also seen when plain ol’ grief makes it nearly impossible to make serious decisions and have observed outside forces cause havoc and financial burdens.
But I have also seen and taken part in beautiful celebrations of life when final plans are made clear and carried out. I remember getting a call from a local funeral home that a person from out of town was having a graves-side service and they had wanted a United Methodist clergywoman to do the service. I was honored and a bit worried. I didn’t know this person and they weren’t connected to my church. The funeral home had just googled United Methodist Churches in the area. During the service, which was actually well attended, I invited individuals to speak about their relationship and stories about the deceased. It ended up being one of the most powerful funerals I’ve ever done - all because of the deceased final wishes.
I hope you will make plans to make plans because we all know that UCTIWU!
Blessings,
September 21, 2026
Dear Friends and Family,
I have been attempting to try new (to me) restaurants in the Oxford area. So far, I have only succeeded in one of them. It seems like everytime I go to try a restaurant they are closed during normal business hours.
One Tuesday after shopping at the grocery store on the way home from work, I stopped at Big Daddy’s BBQ to grab some supper to go. As I approached the door, a lady stuck her head out and said they were closed for some unexpected repairs (she didn’t go into detail). So, I ended up going to The Shack on Highway 34 instead.
Today, I realized after getting to church this morning that I had left my lunch at home. After visiting, I decided this would be a great opportunity to check out Le Coin des Artistes Oxford. I circled the block and parked. After walking down the street, I approached the doors and found the closed sign. They were apparently closed for cleaning - which also made me wonder if they had gotten a bad rating by the health department. Bummer.
I have gotten to try Spring Street Station twice with the United Methodist Men. I’ve had one of the their salads and one of their sandwiches. Both were very good and quite filling.
I’m afraid to ask for any other recommendations for local eateries because I might arrive and find them closed temporarily!
Have you ever planned on eating at a local establishment and found it unexpectedly closed?
One thing you can count on is that we have the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month…except for this October. This is actually unexpected because the first Sunday of October is World Communion Sunday when most churches serve Holy Communion. The worship committee decided to postpone communion until the second Sunday as I will be out of town.
So, if you show up for communion in October, you will have to wait until the second Sunday, October 11. There may be folks who don’t come the first Sunday of the month to avoid receiving communion (this may seem unusual but I have known this to happen in other churches).
But no matter, if we are serving communion, you can receive it no matter who you are. You don’t have to be a member of this church or even be a baptized Christian to receive communion in the United Methodist Church. This is because we see the act of receiving communion as an opportunity to receive God’s grace. It is possible for someone to eat the bread and drink the juice and be converted to Christianity, to have their hearts strangely warmed.
And we appreciate if you leave a cash offering on the altar rail as you receive communion - the money goes to the pastor’s discretionary fund- but it is not necessary. This is a free gift of God’s amazing grace. There is never a closed sign or do not enter for those coming to the altar on communion Sunday.
Blessings,
Dear Friends and Family,
I have been attempting to try new (to me) restaurants in the Oxford area. So far, I have only succeeded in one of them. It seems like everytime I go to try a restaurant they are closed during normal business hours.
One Tuesday after shopping at the grocery store on the way home from work, I stopped at Big Daddy’s BBQ to grab some supper to go. As I approached the door, a lady stuck her head out and said they were closed for some unexpected repairs (she didn’t go into detail). So, I ended up going to The Shack on Highway 34 instead.
Today, I realized after getting to church this morning that I had left my lunch at home. After visiting, I decided this would be a great opportunity to check out Le Coin des Artistes Oxford. I circled the block and parked. After walking down the street, I approached the doors and found the closed sign. They were apparently closed for cleaning - which also made me wonder if they had gotten a bad rating by the health department. Bummer.
I have gotten to try Spring Street Station twice with the United Methodist Men. I’ve had one of the their salads and one of their sandwiches. Both were very good and quite filling.
I’m afraid to ask for any other recommendations for local eateries because I might arrive and find them closed temporarily!
Have you ever planned on eating at a local establishment and found it unexpectedly closed?
One thing you can count on is that we have the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month…except for this October. This is actually unexpected because the first Sunday of October is World Communion Sunday when most churches serve Holy Communion. The worship committee decided to postpone communion until the second Sunday as I will be out of town.
So, if you show up for communion in October, you will have to wait until the second Sunday, October 11. There may be folks who don’t come the first Sunday of the month to avoid receiving communion (this may seem unusual but I have known this to happen in other churches).
But no matter, if we are serving communion, you can receive it no matter who you are. You don’t have to be a member of this church or even be a baptized Christian to receive communion in the United Methodist Church. This is because we see the act of receiving communion as an opportunity to receive God’s grace. It is possible for someone to eat the bread and drink the juice and be converted to Christianity, to have their hearts strangely warmed.
And we appreciate if you leave a cash offering on the altar rail as you receive communion - the money goes to the pastor’s discretionary fund- but it is not necessary. This is a free gift of God’s amazing grace. There is never a closed sign or do not enter for those coming to the altar on communion Sunday.
Blessings,
Rev. Amelia Sims - Pastor
Reverend Amelia Sims is an ordained United Methodist pastor who grew up right here in the Birmingham area. She attended Birmingham‑Southern College, where her father taught religion and Christianity and her mother taught elementary education—so faith and learning have always been a big part of her life.
After college, Amelia worked for the Social Security Administration, first in the East Point Office in Atlanta and later in Talladega. When she felt a clear call to ministry, she followed it to the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
She was ordained a Deacon in 1997 and an Elder in 2000 in the North Alabama Conference. Over the years, Pastor Amelia has served several congregations, including Carpenter UMC (Anniston), St. Paul’s UMC (Counterpoint), Forestdale UMC, Trussville FUMC, and Faith UMC (Clay/Pinson). She also served as RIM Director in the North Alabama Conference Office.
After retiring in 2018, Amelia continued to share her gifts by serving as an interim pastor at both OxFUMC and Pell City FUMC. She is currently appointed as our interim pastor for one year.
Pastor Amelia is married to Rev. Dr. Ed Sims, who serves as a retired pastor at Craig Memorial UMC in Eastaboga. They have one son, Theo, who lives in Chicago. Their home is also happily shared with a dog, three cats, and several fish.
Reverend Amelia Sims is an ordained United Methodist pastor who grew up right here in the Birmingham area. She attended Birmingham‑Southern College, where her father taught religion and Christianity and her mother taught elementary education—so faith and learning have always been a big part of her life.
After college, Amelia worked for the Social Security Administration, first in the East Point Office in Atlanta and later in Talladega. When she felt a clear call to ministry, she followed it to the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
She was ordained a Deacon in 1997 and an Elder in 2000 in the North Alabama Conference. Over the years, Pastor Amelia has served several congregations, including Carpenter UMC (Anniston), St. Paul’s UMC (Counterpoint), Forestdale UMC, Trussville FUMC, and Faith UMC (Clay/Pinson). She also served as RIM Director in the North Alabama Conference Office.
After retiring in 2018, Amelia continued to share her gifts by serving as an interim pastor at both OxFUMC and Pell City FUMC. She is currently appointed as our interim pastor for one year.
Pastor Amelia is married to Rev. Dr. Ed Sims, who serves as a retired pastor at Craig Memorial UMC in Eastaboga. They have one son, Theo, who lives in Chicago. Their home is also happily shared with a dog, three cats, and several fish.
