Martha, wife of the Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, on Saturday appealed to women to be good change agents.
Addressing the celebration of the 2021 Anglican Woman in Awka, she said doing the right things at all times as women of God was one of the ways to reduce societal decay.
Martha, President of Mother’s Union, Women’s Guild and Girl’s Guild, Diocese of Awka also called on women to be pillars of their homes to enthrone Godly families.
“Guide your children against engaging in social ills,’’ she challenged.
She reminded women that the Anglican Woman celebration, an annual event, was designed to remind women of their responsibilities in home-building and societal development as God’s agents of change.
She said that the year’s theme: “Women, be strong in the Lord and courageous in a changing world’’, was apt and urged women to tackle erosion in societal values.
“To be strong and courageous literally means having the strength, physical power or conviction to do something and not to be easily defeated.
“To be strong in the Lord means to be in spiritual union with Christ. Only then can we experience both the weakness of the Cross and power of Resurrection as recorded in the Book of Romans 6:5,’’ she said.
She stressed that women needed to be equipped with knowledge and God’s wisdom to groom responsible homes that would yield safe and healthy society.
She said that women should be contented with what they have and should not live above their means as Christmas approaches.
Martha commended all the archdeaconries that were able to celebrate the Anglican Woman and prayed God to reward their labour in His vineyard.
“Keep the light of the Anglican Communion shining and winning souls for God always should remain your focus so as to build a society that fears God,’’ she charged.
“As women, ensure that your households take all precautions against COVID-19,’’ she admonished.
Earlier the Archdeacon of the Cathedral of St. Faith Church, Rev. Sam Okonokwo, in a homily to celebrate the Day urged women to be strong and courageous.
He charged them to never relent in their God-given responsibility of Christian homemaking.
Okonkwo encouraged the women to be strong supporters of their husbands as well as be respectful to the heads of their homes as their children would watch and would emulate them.
(NAN)