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By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
The newly created Evwreni Archdeaconry in Ughelli Diocese, Anglican Communion in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State recently had her first confirmation service with much joy and celebration amongst the priests and the parishioners.
Speaking during the confirmation service in a sermon titled, ‘Build Your Spiritual House,’ the Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Ughelli Diocese who was the chief celebrant and preacher in the divine service, His Grace, Most Revd C. O. Odutemu, told the congregation, especially those to be confirmed and those to be enrolled into the Girls Guild, Women’s Guild and Mother’s Union, to consider baptism as the first foundation for building one’s “spiritual house.”
Taking his text from the book of 1 Peter 2:5, the man of God said, “To build your spiritual house as you are prepared to be confirmed today and also enroll in the different groups in the church, you must lay the foundation of your spiritual house with solid blocks of prayers, you must separate yourself from sin and every appearance of evil, have good time to fellowship with the brethren always, you must help the less privileged in the society. That’s, the poor, widows and the orphans. You must continuously preach the gospel of Christ, and finally, live with the hope of going to the kingdom of God at the end of your journey and service here on earth. This is the only way you can build your spiritual house as Christians.”
The archbishop ended his sermon with prayers for the land of Evwreni to experience peace, love and unity amongst themselves once again. He also thanked Evwreni sons and daughters and all those that “firmly and faithfully stood financially and otherwise for the creation of Evwreni Archdeaconary despite the enormous challenges during the time.”
The archbishop specially thanked Ven. Dr. U. A. A. Dafiewhare, Ven. Dr. R. M. U Obegor, and Hon. Chief Samuel Mariere for their huge contributions for the successful creation of the new archdeaconry.
After the service, a brief reception and entertainment was held in honour of the Archbishop and his beloved wife, His Grace, Most Revd and Mrs. C. O. Odutemu, for the success of the confirmation service.
In his remarks during the reception, the chairman of the new Evwreni Archdeaconry, Rev. Canon Ujevwecha, thanked the archbishop and his wife for the great honour done them and the entire Evwreni Archdeaconry in conducting the confirmation service. He equally thanked the three parishes making the Evwreni Archdeaconry and their vicars for their huge support.
In the same vein, a two-time member of the Delta State House of Assembly and also a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in the state, Hon. Chief Samuel Mariere, thanked the archbishop for considering Evwreni fit to be an archdeaconry despite the huge financial challenges during the creation process.
He further promised to render his support towards the growth and development of the new archdeaconry, as he equally solicited for the continuous prayers of the archbishop.
The confirmation service however ended with the confirmation of dedicated members of the church from the three parishes by the archbishop as communicants. Girls and women were also enrolled into the Girls Guild, Women Guild and Mother’s Union of the church, after which, the Holy Communion was administered to them and other communicants in the church by the archbishop.
