RFF AGM & PUBLIC FORUM: Why we should be concerned about the state of the rivers in Redbridge! 22nd July 2026
The Sacred Work of Caring for Our Rivers
On 22 July, I had the privilege of attending my final Annual General Meeting of the Redbridge Faith Forum. It was a fitting way to conclude a chapter of my ministry in East London—not only because of the friendships and partnerships forged over the years, but because I left with my heart stirred by a renewed appreciation for one of our oldest neighbours: the River Roding.
Representatives from organisations such as the River Roding Trust and Love the Cranbrook spoke passionately about the river and its tributaries. They shared stories of restoration, conservation, education and community action. One phrase has remained with me ever since: the River Roding is sacred.
At first, the description surprised me. We often reserve the word sacred for places of worship or moments of prayer. Yet the more I reflected, the more I realised how profoundly true it is. Long before roads, buildings and borough boundaries, rivers sustained life. They nourished the land, shaped communities, provided food and became places of gathering, reflection and renewal. They have witnessed generations come and go, quietly carrying the stories of those who have lived alongside them.
To call a river sacred is not simply to romanticise nature. It is to recognise that life itself is a gift deserving of reverence and care.
What impressed me most was the breadth of commitment to this work. Government agencies, charitable trusts, volunteers, schools, environmental groups and local residents all recognise that protecting the River Roding cannot be left to one organisation alone. It requires shared responsibility, long-term vision and countless acts of faithful service—whether removing litter from a tributary, monitoring water quality, restoring habitats or educating the next generation.
There is something deeply hopeful about seeing people from different backgrounds united by a common purpose. In a world often divided by ideology, politics or belief, the river becomes common ground. It reminds us that the health of our environment transcends our differences because the water that sustains one community ultimately sustains us all.
As a person of faith, I cannot help but hear echoes of Scripture. From the rivers flowing out of Eden to the river of the water of life in Revelation, water is consistently a sign of God’s provision, blessing and renewal. We are not owners of creation but stewards entrusted with its care. To preserve our rivers is not merely an environmental responsibility; it is a spiritual one.
Leaving that meeting, I found myself grateful—not only for the work already being done, but for the people willing to give their time, expertise and energy to protect something that cannot speak for itself. Their commitment reminds us that hope is not simply something we feel; it is something we practise.
May we all learn to see our rivers not merely as waterways, but as living gifts. May we honour those who labour to restore them. And may future generations inherit waters that are cleaner, healthier and more life-giving because we chose to care.
After all, the measure of our legacy is not only found in the buildings we leave behind, but in the world we preserve for those yet to come.
Revd Mmasape Thathane Tyolweni