By Michael Nnebife
The President, Mothers’ Union, Women’s and Girls’ Guilds, Province of the Niger in Anglican Communion, Mrs Martha Ibezim, has charged Christian Mothers to rise up against the rising trend of paganism in contemporary society.
The president, who is the wife of the Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka, the Most Revd Alexander Ibezim, gave the charge at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Awka, last Sunday during the occasion of the 2024 Mothers’ Sunday.
Mrs Ibezim whose message was presented by the priest in charge of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Awka, the Revd Canon Azubuike Mgbikeh, said the occasion of this year’s Mothers’ Sunday provided an opportunity for women to be celebrated and honoured for their selfless role of childbearing and upbringing, as well as promoting peace and justice.
According to her, the theme for the occasion, ”Walking with God”, captured Noah’s unshakable faith to walk with God in a generation described as most corrupt.
‘The generation shares similar characteristics with our contemporary generation. So, a call to walk with God in a time like this is a necessary injunction.
‘As women, it behooves you to walk according to the directives of God even when the challenges of family tend to be harder,’ Mrs Ibezim advised, noting that it was important that women opened their eyes to see the rising trend of paganism.
‘Women must look inward to identify where they’ve failed in their role as Christian Mothers,’ she said.
Stressing that women should be persistent in prayer and drawing nearer to God, the archbishop’s wife admonished women, especially those who were the breadwinners of their families, to respect and honour their husbands at all time.
She expressed the belief that in doing so, they would attract blessings from God.
For his part, the Revd Canon Mgbikeh congratulated the Christian Mothers, especially those of Our Saviour’s Church, enjoining them to fail at nothing in being women of virtue and helpers to their husbands.
‘A woman of virtue thinks and does what’s right; she avoids what’s wrong,’ the cleric said, praying God to give the mothers the grace that would continue to enable them to carry out their obligations and responsibility as required.
The Special Sunday, which featured the usual Christian Mothers fanfare, also offered the mothers of Our Saviour’s Church an opportunity to pray for the nation, Anambra State, the political, as well as religious leaders, and honour some women who had distinguished themselves in the service to God in the church with awards.
