Tomorrow, Thursday, May eight, through Sunday, May eleven, history will be made in the ancient city of Nri Kingdom, as the Nri Anglican Community hosts the Third Session of the Thirteenth Synod of the Diocese of Awka, with the theme; Repositioning the Church for the Future: A Focus on The Children’s Ministry.
A Synod brings together the House of Bishop, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity to pray, plan, and make decisions that will shape the direction of the Church for years to come. Hosting such an important gathering is both a spiritual privilege and a mark of trust in the legacy and capacity of the hosting Church. It is especially so for Nri Anglican Community, this, being the first time ever that Nri as a community shall be exercising this privilege since the coming of the Church to Nri one hundred and fifteen years ago. It is also the very first time ever that a woman, Dr. Mary Obi-Okoye, is leading the Local Organising Committee for a Synod which unprecedented anywhere.
For over a century, St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Nri has remained a center of spiritual formation, and a witness to generations of faithful believers. Now, it steps into another chapter of history of hosting a Synod with a clear focus on the future, both of Children and the Society.
At the center of discussions will be the child who is the seed of hope for the Church tomorrow and beyond. Delegates will deliberate on how to reposition church structures, teachings, and programs to serve the children better and by extension, the Youth. The goal is to nurture their faith, encourage their participation, and prepare them for leadership in an increasingly complex world.
The theme reminds Christians that the future of the Church is already present in the children who attend Bible studies and Sunday School, sing in choirs, and sit quietly in pews. To reposition the Church for the future is to invest intentionally in these young lives today.
This Synod is expected to make decisions that will impact Christian education, youth engagement, and child-focused Ministry right across the Diocese.
Together, Nri as a Community, the Resident Vicars and their Wives of St. Mary’s and St. Michael and All Angels, Reverend Canon Ifeanyi and Dr Uzoamaka Emegwa and Reverend Nnamdi and Nneora Blessing Ezeabasil, the Parish Councils and Local Organising Committee of the 2025 Nri Synod, joyfully welcome the President of the Synod, Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, the Most Reverend. Alexander Ibezim, his wife and President of the Women’s Ministry, Dr Martha Ibezim; visiting Archbishops and Bishops; all Clergy, Lay Delegates and others, to the 2025 Nri Synod of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion), holding at St. Mary’s Anglican Church Nri, the oldest Kingdom in Igbo Land. Please come and savour the rich cultural heritage of Nri, especially by visiting the Odinani Museum.
As the Third Session of the Thirteenth Synod commences, it is our collective hope that it will leave not just policies, but a legacy that strengthens the Church’s foundation and secures its future through the eyes, voices, and hands of our children.
Long Live the Nri Kingdom!
Long Live the Diocese oF Awka (Anglican Communion)!!
EJIKE AGBATA
