2nd June
As more local authorities stop routinely spraying weed killer, so more wild plants appear along the edges of pavements. It feels like a sign of resilience on the part of nature.
Weeds are not signs of bad land management but of hope.
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
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.”
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.”
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.
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
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)
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).
27th May
As part of being resilient, we aim to keep at least three days’ supply of food and water in the house.
As part of these emergency supplies, I am loath to buy bottles of water which I would then have to replace when they reached their expired date – it would be expensive and would produce unnecessary waste. So instead we keep next to the sink a mixture of 1 litre kilner bottles and 4.5 litre Demi johns. These we use and refill on rotation (the bottles are numbered) to fill the kettle, make drinks, cook with and wash up etc. The water in the bottles is thus seldom more than 24 hours old – and in this hot weather, we keep a couple of bottles in the fridge too.
26th May
Water is a scarce and valuable resource that we need to protect and use respectfully and frugally.
That is why I shower and wash my hair once a week. The rest of the week I wash in a bowl of water – and then reuse that water for flushing the toilet. I’m sure I’m still clean and fresh smelling!
We only use the toilet flush for ‘number twos’ and use hand wash water (having used a bowl) to flush the toilet.
For toilet cleaning I use hot water and citric acid followed by a dose of bicarbonate – the following burst of bubbles is very dramatic. In this way I hope to reduce the adverse chemicals entering the drains as well as using cleaning materials that come in paper packaging.
25th May 2026
Rivers of Spirit: Spirit of Rivers – a reflection
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39
The above is one of the alternative readings given for Pentecost which thinks of the Spirit not as wind or fire, but as a river of water.
Last Friday I took part in a thought-provoking event at St John’s Waterloo entitled Rivers of Spirit: Spirit of Rivers – https://stjohnswaterloo.org/tag/rivers-of-life/
We began by going down on to the foreshore of the Thames where, like children, we looked at all the treasures on the little beach – shells and pebbles, smooth-worn glass, ends of clay pipes, rounded stubs of brick, sticks and pieces of bone. We sang and we prayed as, with increasing reverence, we were drawn to the sound and the movement of the river, to the ebbing-flowing tide – drawn to the Thames living presence.
From that reconnection with the river, we were more open to hear the wisdom of the afternoon’s speakers.
Bishop Martin himself quoted from the passage from John’s Gospel, and talked about the living nature of water through the example of the eel.
Eels are amazing creatures. They are laid as eggs in the Sargasso Sea from where they voyage by ocean currents some 6500km to reach Europe. During this first couple of years they develop from egg to glass eel. They leave the sea and swim inland up various rivers including the Thames, where they continue to develop becoming elvers and then yellow eels and finally silver eels – this can span from 5 to 20 years. Now they are mature enough to make the return journey to the Sargasso to begin the whole cycle again. Eels in the past were numerous in our rivers and a source of food for many (and not just humans). But due to the effects of climate change, pollution, loss of habitat including from obstacles such as weirs and dams, their numbers over the last 40 years have declined by a staggering 95-98%. (1)
God’s Spirit, like rivers of living water, is there to cleanse and refresh us. But what if we harden our hearts and do not seek forgiveness and renewal?
The first two speakers, Al Barrett and John White spoke about the importance of creating communities. Al Barrett is the vicar of the Hodge Hill Church in east Birmingham. John White is the founder of the Hazelnut Community and author of the Rooted in Rubble articles from which I have recently quoted.
Al spoke about creating ‘bumping places’ – places where parishioners from many and diverse backgrounds can meet and get to know and trust each other. He spoke how during Covid they ‘rediscovered’ the green places in the parish including the common. Commons have existed for hundreds of years as spaces designated for use by the community – the commoners – who would have rights to graze animals, gather firewood etc. Where Commons remain today they are often important as essential green spaces for local people and as essential habitats for wildlife.
And Al described how finally he managed to ‘discover’ the River Tame which was barricaded out of sight and inaccessible to the community through which it flowed.
John spoke about how the Hazelnut Community’s garden brings people together in the garden and in the gardening. Gardens root us and place us in a right relationship with creation.
Debbie Colvin described to us our place – our home – within the Thames basin which stretches from the Cotswolds to the estuary, from the Chilterns and northwards to the South Downs. Within this area rainwater drains down to the Thames, but not just via stream and rivers, but also percolating down into the strata deep below our feet where the water moves and buffers, hydrating the ground, feeding into springs and wells. A slow and measured process whereby rain falling on the hills of Reigate may take 10-20,000 years before reaching Trafalgar Square. (Prior to the 1930s the fountains in Trafalgar Square were fed by artesian wells (2)).
Paul Powlesland spoke about his life’s journey that finds him as a self appointed river guardian for the River Roding and as the founder of the River Roding Trust. His love and respect of this river sees him clearing rubbish, planting willow and Black Poplar saplings and defending the rights of the river and the communities that live nearby. Called to jury service, Paul made his oath not on a Bible but on the River Roding, making this river a sacred thing, a being worthy of worship. (3) Much of this river, the third longest in London, is degraded – desecrated – by sewage, rubbish and pollution. Paul’s approach is hands on and includes pressing the Thames Water Authority to do its job properly. (4)
Paul himself lives off grid on a narrow boat which means his life is intrinsically connected to that of the river and the environment. His awareness of the drought that we are currently facing, is measured by how much water remains in the rainwater that provides him with water.
What struck me about the issues raised by these speakers was –
At the same time, the speakers brought to mind way we might change our relationship with rivers:
And from this came thoughts about what we might do as local communities and as churches.
The Green Tau 