Author: C. Alicia Randolph

Reflection on Braiding Sweetgrass:  Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer I just moved to a new location in my life—brand new. I grew up moving around the Piedmont section of North Carolina where my German, Scottish, and English ancestors settled generations ago.  During my twenties I lived in Washington … Continue reading On Bays, Bees, and the Life of Creation

           I am here You are there Then I am there and You are here in some way For some reason known only to God This is deep prayer   Sometimes  I wonder why it is so deep Because day after day There are moments that I feel Hopeless And I … Continue reading Hope Blooms

Who am I at this moment Is this me Imagining The cool water on my feet And tiny little fish Nibbling on my toes In the ancient waters of my ancestral home   Or am I some other little girl From long ago Whose feet are dangling Whose toes a wiggling away The tiny little … Continue reading Who Am I

I seek light In the darkness Wherever I can Whenever I can   It cannot be helped—this seeking By my own doing Or my determination Or my strength   It happens without me knowing Suddenly There it is a light Shining in the darkness As if it is the light Doing the seeking   Dancing candlelight … Continue reading I Seek Light

The morning is still Hot, humid, bright With not a breath of air stirring   Occasionally, though, the stillness is punctuated By a myriad of Birds Going about their Sunday morning lives Easy sounds that crescendo With songs and chirps Warbles and squawks Jumps and flutters   I listen and I hear the mourning doves Calling … Continue reading Deep Calls to Deep:  It is a Gift

In February, I preached a sermon series based on John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules:  do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.  It was a four part series that ended with the last sermon preached on the Sunday during the special General Conference session of The United Methodist Church.  My heart was … Continue reading Stay in Love With God: Fourth in a Series on John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules

Recently, I went to Atlanta. I am a part of the leadership for our WV Annual Conference Residency program, a three-year program that, those who are on the track to be ordained, are required to complete between seminary and ordination.  Each year, we take an immersion trip.  This year, we went to Atlanta to visit … Continue reading Breakfast and Lunch and Onward

Have we reached A moment in time In this age In this world When we no longer  talk to each other When we no longer know what to say When we cannot utter A kind word An encouraging word A hopeful word To each other or to the world Without some cost Or because of … Continue reading Thoughts on the First Day of May

It was the second day of the second class in my doctorate program when the assignment was given.  The assignment sounded simple enough.  I had twenty minutes to write about a moment in life that led to a change.  What could be so hard?  I am a writer.  This is not a difficult assignment.  And … Continue reading A Journey of Change

Holy One, At first this morning, no words came. There was only silence, but in the silence I knew you were there.  In that moment, there were no words, to describe my feelings, a mixture of so many emotions.  In that moment, there were no words, to describe feelings of pain and division, anguish and frustration, … Continue reading A Prayer for the Day After