It was a fellowship of faith at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Abagana, Njikoka Local Government Area, as members of the clergy, Abagana Anglican Community, and guests, convened for the arrival service of the Third Session of the Twelfth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Awka.
The service was presided over by the President of the Synod and Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim.
Synod is a religious event and an avenue to take stock of activities of the church for the previous year, examine them, make amends where necessary, and discuss how to pilot the affairs of the diocese through the year.
The theme of this year’s synod is ‘Running the Christian Race: Implications for the Believers in Perilous Times.
In his address, Most Reverend Ibezim said the synod was aimed at encouraging Christians to steadfastly run the race of faith because they are in a world of uncertainties.
Most Reverend Ibezim noted that through the synod, they are re-enacting the importance of Christ’s sacrifice to restore salvation to mankind, and asked the delegates to be focused.
In a sermon to mark the arrival service, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese Of Etche, Right Reverend Okechukwu Nwala, said that for one to run the Christian race successfully, they must turn away from the world, follow Jesus Christ intentionally, and also remain in faith regardless of what they are passing through.
Right, Reverend Nwala reminded the delegates that every race is pointed in a direction and encouraged them to serve God in truth and to never derail.
The President of Women’s Ministry, Province of the Niger, Mrs. Martha Ibezim, other bishops’ wives, the diocesan chancellor, Justice OJ Okeke, traditional rulers, and many bishops, attended the arrival service
Meanwhile, Archbishop Ibezim later paid a courtesy call to the traditional ruler of Abagana, Igwe Patrick Mbamalu Okeke.
Credit: Amaka Chibuzor Okoye ( ABS Religion Correspondent)
