Mothers in the Anglican Communion worldwide are being celebrated today for their roles, contributions, efforts, and dignity toward family and nation building.
The service, celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent and known as Mothering Sunday, with the theme “Dependable God: Mothers’ Strength and Confidence,” saw the women gorgeously adorned in their various uniforms according to the groups they belong to, as they conducted the service, taking roles such as cross bearers, Bible readers, sidesmen, pastors’ wardens, people’s wardens, and leaders of intercessory prayers.
Addressing the women at the Cathedral Church of Saint Faith, Awka, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, challenged mothers to pray fervently, stressing that it is significant that Mothering Sunday falls within the Lenten season to further encourage them to focus and cast their burdens on God, who is a problem solver and ever-present companion.
Most Reverend Ibezim lamented that many mothers have gone astray, seeking solutions in the wrong places and neglecting their responsibilities of upholding family values and proper child upbringing, urging them to return to the ways of old and emulate biblical women who served and trusted God and were accomplished in their missions.
The Archdeacon of Adazi-Ani Archdeaconry and Vicar of Saint Jude’s Parish, Adazi-Ani, Venerable Chris Nkem-Okafor, maintained that mothers are expected to anchor their faith in God as many biblical women did, noting that they should make God the source of their strength, energy, and life, as everything on earth depends on Him and those whose belief is in Christ will never be disappointed.
On his part, the Vicar of Christ Redemption Church, Ezi-Awka, Venerable Dr. Rex Kanu, said the service was used to remind mothers of their duties as the backbone of their families, assisting their husbands and ensuring that their children are properly cared for, observing that many things have gone wrong in society and urging them to help re-enact societal norms to correct some abnormal behaviours exhibited by some youths.
Speaking on the issues of family reorientation, values, and morals, the Vicar of Saint Mary’s Parish, Nkwele Awka, Venerable Nehemiah Ugoagu, asked women to exercise patience and remember that they are pillars and beacons of their families, emphasizing that motherhood is a vocation and that they should support their husbands in building responsible homes and raising godly children who will become ambassadors of society.
In their separate remarks, the President of the Women’s Ministry, Province of the Niger and Awka Diocese, Dr. Mrs. Martha Ibezim, and the two Vice Presidents, Mrs. Ada Ugoagu and Mrs. Chioma Nkem-Okafor, thanked God for this year’s Mothering Sunday and prayed that the joy of motherhood would remain everlasting in their families and homes.
