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FOOTMARKS for JULY 2008:
How well do we know our river?
In recent weeks I’ve been trying to make a decision about how to use the four-week study leave I’m entitled to take this year. My first thought was to research and write an article critiquing the practice of itinerancy from a eco-theology perspective. It is my belief that a tradition that promotes itinerant ministry is likely to diminish the importance of local ecological care. If we live in a place for a short time we do not develop a strong relationship with the natural world that is found there.
Though this first thought is important, and I may yet do some writing around it, my second thought has been to find a more practical way of encouraging a theology of place here in Somerfield. With this change of approach the Heathcote River can into my thinking as a wonderful focus for my study leave. In our place it is one of the main natural features. I walk along its banks almost on a daily basis.
How well do you know the waterway that is a constant presence in our lives? It is my observation that most of us are largely ignorant about this river and so it is hardly surprising that as a community we are not good at caring for it. I would like my study project to make a difference here.
When I was at the 9th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2006 I participated in a three-session conversation around Caring for God’s creation. A woman who was a water activist from Canada said something very important that deepened my thinking about creation. She said: “We need to enable water to follow out the instructions and purposes the Creator has given it”. I wonder what this might mean for the life of this wonderful stream that blesses us here in the south of the Garden city?
Her name was Joy, and she went on to say that if we want to care for God’s creation in our place then we need to follow this process: research it; educate for action; and then mobilize people in the church to be advocates for whatever it is that you have researched.
So in September/October I am planning to carry out research on the Heathcote River and develop some theological ideas that will help to further our relationship with it, and our care of it. I hoping the end result will be of interest in the wider community. I would also like to include all of you in the project. In this way I’d like it to be our project.
I am particularly interested to hear your stories of concern and celebration in relation to this river. I would welcome any responses to the following questions.
- In what ways is it an important part of your life?
- What are your concerns about the Heathcote? During your lifetime have you noticed changes to it? If so, what kinds of changes?
- In what ways do you think the river is being abused in our present times? What kinds of abuse have you witnessed in the past?
- How do you think we could improve our care of this river?
- Are you aware of any poetry or songs that have been written about the river?
If you have any friends or neighbours who would like to respond to these questions I would very much welcome their contribution.
For your interest here is a short questionnaire on the Heathcote River. How well do you know it?
QUESTIONNAIRE
- What is the Maori name of the Heathcote?
- How long is it? Where is its source, and where is its mouth?
- What kind of flora once featured along the banks?
Name five species.
- Name three plant or fish species that live in it?
- What was the Maori name of the upper reaches of the river?
- What mahinga kai was found in the river?
- In times of early European settlement the river was tidal for how many miles upstream?
- When was the Woolston Cut completed? This led to what problem? How was it remedied?
- Where is the retention basin that collects and controls the flow of storm water into the river?
- When did the City Council build a Trade Waste Sewer which reduced industrial wastes released into the river?
- Name five harmful agents that enter the river via stormwater.
Send you answers to stmarks7@clear.net.nz
Mark
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