Author: Judith Russenberger

Environmentalist and theologian, with husband and three grown up children plus one cat, living in London SW14. I enjoy running and drinking coffee - ideally with a friend or a book.

How long O Lord?

My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long? Psalm 6:3

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace

A reading from Hosea 5:15-6:3

Thus says the Lord: “I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favour: ‘Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.’

How Long O Lord?

How many heat waves?

How many droughts?

How many floods?

How many lost coast lines?

How many before we admit our error?

Before we recognise the crisis?


How many lost penguins?

How many missing polar bears?

How many extinct butterflies?

How many disappearing swifts?

How many before we admit our error?

Before we recognise the crisis?


How many car journeys?

How many air miles? 

How many beef steaks?

How many tonnes of cement?

How many before we admit our error?

Before we recognise the crisis.


Creator God, we admit our error

and recognise the crises we have caused. 

Grant us the wisdom and determination to make amends:

To change the way we live,

To change the way we see things,

To have care for the future.

Amen.

Counting on 2026 …. Day 54

5th June

“When communities know how to grow food, cook together, preserve harvests, repair tools and build things with their hands, they rediscover agency. They are no longer only consumers within vast systems. They become participants in shaping the places where they live.

“These practices also nurture imagination. They remind us that the future is not only determined by distant institutions. It grows through the habits and relationships people cultivate together.” (1)

Somehow – and there never seems to be enough time or enough volunteers and participants – we do need to learn these skills. If we learn them as a community we can share the learning responsibilities. We won’t each have to learn each skill, just ensure that enough of us learn some of the skills the skills, so that between us as a community we are properly equipped.

  1. https://substack.com/home/post/p-190602804

Counting on 2026 …. Day 53

4th June

Another quote from the Hazelnut Community: “Develop practical skills (kitchen, carpentry, machine repair, food processing, sewing, etc.) Teach these skills to children and friends, neighbours.” (1) 

I have recently had a go at mending our shed door – re-securing cross pieces where the factory installed staples had apart, this time using screws. A little auger that had come from a pst generation proved very useful in starting the holes, and an equally vintage screw driver finished the job. 

This makes me wonder a) where one would get such tools today and b) are such vintage tools hidden away in the backs of sheds/ drawers/ attics waiting to the be revitalised?

 a) they are available and are known as gimlets. b) yes and are available via vintage web sites.

(1) https://substack.com/home/post/p-190602804

Counting on 2026 …. Day 51

1st June

One step on from a water butt would be a rainwater harvesting system. This in essence is a large wtwr storage tank that collects and stores all the rainwater from your roof. Unlike a water butt it includes a filtration system to keep the water clean and a pump so that you can use the water for flushing toilets and running the washing machine – as well as watering the garden. 

Given the imbalance between winter and summer rainfall, and the increasingly likelihood of droughts and water shortages, such systems will become increasingly common and practical, and will increase our personal resilience and our community resilience.

For more information – https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/main/rainwater-harvesting-information/rainwater-harvesting-information

Trinity Sunday 

31st May 2026

Reflection with readings below

Today is Trinity Sunday when, having focused on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, Jesus’s relationship with God as Father, and the gift of the Holy Spirit,  the Church celebrates the interconnectedness of these differentiated persons or facets of God. But in fact today’s readings perhaps focus more on the relationship between God, humanity and creation.

The reading from Isaiah is an often overlooked creation story. In this telling humankind is over-egging it’s  importance in the whole process. Through the words given by the prophet Isaiah, God challenges humankind to reconsider their importance as significant agents in the creation of the wonders that constitute Earth. 

The alternative first testament reading given today is that of the creation story in Genesis 1. Like today’s psalm, that passage talks about God giving humankind ‘dominion’ over every living thing – plants and animals – that God had created. This same word also features in Psalm 8 but it is prefaced by words that challenge humankind to reconsider their importance in the far grander scale of creation. 

What might it mean for humanity to be given (given not earnt) dominion of all living things? What is doesn’t do is give any one – or group thereof – human the right to exercise dominion over other humans.  Rather we are commanded (in both first and second testaments) to love our neighbours as ourself.  

The question of dominion as humanity’s role as expressed in Genesis 1 or as servant and guard as expressed in Genesis 2 was the subject of much email discussion within Green Christian. The conclusion seemed to be that in being given the role of dominion, humankind was being asked to enact dominion in the way that God does – for humans were created in the image of God for this purpose. Dominion is therefore not about imposing our will on all living things  but God’s will. It is to honour the role that the ground and the waters play in bringing forth life. It is not about controlling gather human beings, nor is it about creating boundaries that divide the earth – no ‘This is my land’, no ‘This is my gold mine’, no ‘This is my water.’

The words from Isaiah, ‘Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand’ brings to mind Deborah Colvin’s description of the Thames drainage basin as a soup bowl. (This was at the Rivers of Spirit: Spirit of Rivers conference which I wrote about earlier). The Thames basin is like soup bowl with the South Downs and the Cotswolds forming the rim, while the bowl itself is filled with layers of different geological material channelling and absorbing water. The water derives from rain (and snow) that has fallen over the millennia. This bowl is vast unseen reservoir. The water comes to the surface via springs and rivers or can be tapped into via wells. As humans we extract water from the Thames basin for domestic use – washing, drinking etc – for agricultural irrigation and livestock, and for various industrial uses – something that in the future will expand if more data centres are built. Although we have had some drought years, the Thames  basin has supplied our needs. However it is estimated that as our use of water expands we are likely to see a 5 billion litre per day shortfall by 2055.

Globally we are consuming fresh water at faster rate than rainfall, ice melt etc can replenish. 

Humans may have been given dominion but it is not a licence to consume Willy-nilly nor is a magic wand with which to conjure up endless supplies of whatever we want. 

Isaiah’s words suggest we humans need to show greater humility in the position we adopt vis a vis the earth’s resources and vis a vis God. Julian Allwood in his talk to Green Christian (1) about his book, Promise the Earth: A safe planet in good faith, spoke against the oft touted vision of new technology as the solution to climate change – it will not be available either in time or at scale to be of any use. His recommended solution is to show restraint and consume less. Simple, practical advise that reminds us that we humans part of, and are called to live responsibly within, God’s creation. 

As Paul writes, “Put things in order … agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_iw6flpNxc&list=PLdHb4RRseikMboKuqbw5M8qpL9iahsKo8

Isaiah 40.12-17,27-31

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand

    and marked off the heavens with a span,

enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure,

    and weighed the mountains in scales

    and the hills in a balance?

Who has directed the spirit of the Lord,

    or as his counsellor has instructed him?

Whom did he consult for his enlightenment,

    and who taught him the path of justice?

Who taught him knowledge,

    and showed him the way of understanding?

Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket,

    and are accounted as dust on the scales;

    see, he takes up the isles like fine dust.

Lebanon would not provide fuel enough,

    nor are its animals enough for a burnt-offering.

All the nations are as nothing before him;

    they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

Psalm 8

O Lord, our Sovereign,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
    to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars that you have established;

what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
    mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
    and crowned them with glory and honour.

You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under their feet,

all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Tune our senses to God’s wisdom 

30th May 2026

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Job 38:1-2 

The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:17

Listen; attune your ears – what do you hear? 

The excited chatter of children,

and the chatter of jackdaws,

wind rustling the leaves,

and feet tapping the road.

Or the drone of cars – too much!

Or the whine of planes – too many!

Look; focus your vision – what do you see?

a lacework of branches against the sky,

and curvaceous clouds,

the green patina of leaves,

and the tight curl of a snail shell.

Or traffic crawling bumper to bumper – too much

Or discarded tatters of plastic – too many!

Stretch; bare your skin – what do you feel?

The warm caress of the sun, 

the gentle frisson of the breeze,

the prickle of grass,

the textured bark of a tree.

Or the rasp of exhaust in your throat – too much!

Or the scratch of particulates in your eyes – too many!

Sniff; breathe deeply – what do you smell?

The aroma of fresh coffee,

and the zest of orange juice,

the fragrance of the rose,

and the warmth of ground spices.

Or the reek of petrol – too much!

Or the sting of pesticides – too many!

Savour; let it linger on your tongue – what do you taste?

The fresh acidity of an apple, 

and the earthy satisfaction of bread,

the squishy sweetness of banana,

and the melting delight of chocolate.

Or the fake sweetness of green wash – too much!

Or the gall of climate injustice- too many !

Merciful God, 

bring us to our senses.

Help us rebuild a world 

of right experiences.

Amen. 

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17

Holy God, 

in the hour of our stupidity, 

guide us with your wisdom. 

Help us to understand afresh 

the intricacies and interconnectedness 

of the world you have given us.

Holy God, 

in the hour of our need, 

repair the damage we have caused 

to your world 

so that we might all be saved.

Amen.

Counting on 2026 …. Day 50

29th May

Caring for our water system is about caring for the environment and helping ensure that the system is resilient. Increasingly our weather is going to comprise wet winters with period heavy rainfall, and hot dry summers. 

Collecting rainwater in water butts helps in two ways. The obvious way is by providing a supply of water for the times when there is little rain – this can be used for watering the garden, or in times of real drought, can be used to flush toilet etc. 

The second way is to relieve pressure on the water drainage system by delaying the sudden rush of water into the system. This does presume your butts re empty before the storm comes – so there maybe some necessary preparation work before hand. You can install a water butt which releases one half of its content slowly over time leaving spare capacity for more water – https://uk.getwatersmart.com/product/buttinabox-butt-in-a-box-200l-waterbutt-kit-354

Or you can get  smart water butt! https://aquaiot.co.uk/smart-water-butts-rainwater-defence-against-flooding/)

Further reading – https://climateconnectionsplymouth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Slow-the-Flow-booklet-FINAL4.pdf

Mindful Sauntering 

Holy Ground

The angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a bush; Moses looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then he  said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then God said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you  stand is holy ground. 

Exodus 3:2- 5

There is the suggestion that a saunterer is a person walking to the Holy Land, from the French ‘à la sainte-terre’. So let’s consider sauntering to be a form of holy or blessed walking. May our walking bring us closer to God.

Good Ground by Malcolm Guite 

I love your simple story of the sower,

With all its close attention to the soil,

Its movement from the knowledge to the knower,

Its take on the tenacity of toil.

I feel the fall of seed a sower scatters,

So equally available to all,

Your story takes me straight to all that matters,

Yet understands the reasons why I fall.

Oh deepen me where I am thin and shallow,

Uproot in me the thistle and the thorn,

Keep far from me that swiftly snatching shadow,

That seizes on your seed to mock and scorn.

O break me open, Jesus, set me free,

Then find and keep your own good ground in me. (1) 

  1. https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2015/10/10/good-ground-a-sonnet-on-the-parable-of-the-sower/

Counting on 2026 …. Day 49

28th May

Caring for water is to be mindful of what goes down the drain. Waste water systems – drains, sewers etc – are not intended as general rubbish bins! 

They are not places for alien chemicals. Using only eco friendly laundry and washing up liquids makes sense. Nor are they places for wet wipes, paper towels or paper serviettes – these are design to be strong and absorbent and doing that means they  likely block the drain!

They are not places for oil and grease – wipe excess oil from pans etc using a paper and put that in your compost heap or food bin. Nor are they the place for paints, white spirit, varnish etc. Your local authority should have disposal facilities for these.

Drains are also not the place for waste food – this should go in your compost heap or food bin (the latter only should be used for items like meat, fish etc).