Written By: CLEMENT MGBEMENA

All Saints’ Anglican Church, Awka is set to host the first Session of the twelfth Synod of the Diocese of Awka (Anglican Communion) from Friday, 7th to Sunday, August 9, 2020.

Diocesan Synods are symbolically held at least once a year to review the progress of each Archdeaconry, Parish, Church and respective institutions as the case may be. Also, the laws governing each Diocese are reviewed and new ones enacted. The central theme of this year’s synod is, “God of Eternal Destiny and His Major Attributes”, taken Jeremiah Chapter one and verse five.

The president of the Synod, The Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim and his wife, Martha Chioma Ibezim (President, Women’s Ministry, Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka) heartily welcome all the visiting Archbishops, Clergy, Archbishop’s Nominees, the Lay Delegates and their wives to this year’s Synod. This is the first time the Diocese of Awka is holding the Synod in the city of Awka, outside the Cathedral since the advent of Christianity in 1900.

Special features of the Synod include planting of the ceremonial Synod Tree and dedication of a two-storey 16 classroom block, built by Dr. Okechukwu Anueyiagu and handed over to his alma-matter – Udeozo Memorial Basic School. The President of the Synod, Most Revd Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD, Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, will also read the presidential charge. Other highlights of the Synod are: Bible Study, Holy Eucharist, Synod Mattins, Cutting of the Synod Cake and Launching of funds for the completion of the Diocesan projects.

Most Revd Friday Imaekai, former Archbishop of the Province of Bendel and current Bishop of Esan Diocese, will be the Guest Preacher, while Bishop Samuel Zanani, Bishop of the Diocese of Kwoi will handle the Bible Study. The Synod will end on Sunday, August 9, 2020 with a thanksgiving service at All Saints’ Church, Awka.

All Saints Church Awka, popularly known as “ Umuezeukwu”, started in 1937 with the name “CMS Church, Amaenyi Awka” through the efforts of late Mr Wilfred Okafor Udeozo, who persuaded his kings men at Amudo village, Awka, including Mr Nwogbonnia Nwankwo, for the release of land for the building of a place of worship.

The project was supervised by Late Mr Raymond Chukwuemeka Okafor and Late Mr Abraham Eke, while Mr W.O Udeozo solely financed the building project which was dedicated in 1959. It was christened “All Saints’ Church Awka by the Late Revd L.M Umeokafor who was the superintendent of St Faiths’ Church Awka.

After the civil war, the Church building was reconstructed and dedicated in 1985 by the then Bishop on the Niger, Most Revd Dr Jonathan Onyemelukwe (now late) through the efforts of the women of the Church. All Saints’ Church Awka planted other churches through its youth evangelistic outreaches such as St Michael’s Church, Ifite Awka; St Peter’s Church, Amansea; St Stephen’s Church, Orjinator-Ugwuoba; St James’ Church Obinagu-Ugwuoba and St Mary’s Church, Nkwelle-Awka, which is now a full fledge parish.

All Saints’ Parish Awka grew to the status of a parish church in 1995 and was inaugurated by Most Revd Maxwell Anikwenwa. Two other churches under the parish include: Holy Trinity Church, Awka, which was established in 2012/2013 at Umuzocha Village Awka and Chapel of Healing Cross at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital Amaku-Awka, established in 2015. The third Church Building was dedicated by Most Revd Anikwenwa, through the help of Dr Okechukwu Anueyiegu who completed the church building then.
About twenty-three Clergy and twelve lay Church workers have served in the church since its establishment with Revd Eugene Nduka (now Venerable and retired) and the first Parish Priest/Vicar, Venerable Clement Chibuzo Mgbemena, currently serving as the Parish Priest/Vicar. He is also the Current Archdeacon of Awka Archdeaconry and Clerical Synod Secretary, Diocese of Awka.

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