A Service of Confirmation and Admissions to Mothers Union, Women and Girls Guilds was conducted last Sunday at St Peter’s Chapel, Ibru Centre Agbarha-otor, Delta State by the Bishop of Ughelli and Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bendel, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu, Ph.D., JP.
Preaching at the service from 1Peter 2:5, the Archbishop urged the people to build up their spiritual houses. Noting that physical building is in phases – acquiring land, laying the foundation and the actual building – he posited that same also applies in the building of spiritual houses. “There must be land for building. Spiritual land is needed for the spiritual house. When you have Jesus, you have gotten the land. You then need a foundation which is baptism into the Lord. This is followed by laying of blocks and building up to roofing and completion;” he said.
The Ecclesiastic concluded by enunciating the following 7 items as constituting the stages of building up a spiritual house: Word of God, Prayer, Avoidance evil, Fellowship, Kindness to the Poor, Preaching and Living with Eternity in view.
Odutemu attended the service with his wife, Mrs Ufuoma Odutemu (Mama Bendel), who is also the President of the Mothers’ Union, Women’s Guild and Girls’ Guild of the Diocese of Ughelli and Province of Bendel; the Administrative Secretary of the Diocese of Ughelli, The Rev. Canon Christopher Idonor and the Archbishop’s Chaplain, The Rev. Samson Onohwohwakpo.
By Princewill Ireoba