All is now set for the third session of the sixth Synod of Ogbaru Diocese, of the Anglican Communion to be hosted by Okpoko Archdeaconry, at Saint Luke’s Church Okpoko, (New Heaven)

 

Already the Synod venue has been decorated to be in tune with the spiritual gathering of the people of Ogbaru Diocese, other Sister Dioceses, friends, and well wishers of the Diocese, who will be in attendance.

 

The Synod which holds from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th May 2024, has its theme as “Thy Will Be Done Oh Lord Not Mine” taken from the gospel according to Saint Luke Chapter twenty-two Verse forty-two.

 

“Synod” derived from the Greek word “Synodos” means “Assembly” is the annual meeting of the Diocese in which matters of great importance to the Diocese are discussed and legislated upon. The Synod is the legislative body of the Diocese, and every enactment, resolution or directive from it is binding on every Archdeaconry, parish, Church, workers and members of the Diocese.

 

According to the statement from the Diocesan Secretariat, Opening Service for the Synod will take place on Thursday sixteenth May 2024 at 2pm while the formal opening, presentation and launching of Bishop’s charge will be on Saturday 18th May 2024 at 10am. Synod thanksgiving service and fund raising for Diocesan projects is slated for Sunday 19th May 2024 at 9am.

 

1964 as Saint Bartholomew’s Church Bridge Head Approach layout in the place now called Housing Estate. It began as feeder Church of Saint John’s Anglican Church “Nupe Settlement” now called Fegge, and was meant to reduce the distance worshippers had to trek from Okpoko to Saint John’s Church. It was in 1971 when the government of Ukpabi Asika confiscated the area as state land and demolished the entire buildings erected by individuals and groups that the displaced habitants migrated into the vast bushy expense of land known as Okpoko and set up make-ship structures for residential purposes.

 

Following the need for a place of worship for Anglican faithful in the new community known as Okpoko, the Parochial Church Committee of Saint John’s Church Fegge under the inspiring leadership of Reverend P.N. Ukachukwu of the Blessed memory from Okija rose to the occasion by acquiring a large expense of land for Church building and ensuring the smooth takeoff of a Church named Saint Luke’s Church in Okpoko in 1974. The Church grew in leaps and bounds and metamorphosed into a District in 1990 and an Archdeaconry (Okpoko Archdeaconry) in 2011, with the following as the constituent Churches presently namely; Saint Luke’s Church Okpoko, Good Shepherd Church Owerri Road, Saint Peter’s Church Mkpikpa, Church of Pentecost Okpoko, Christ Ambassadors’ Church Okpoko, His Glory Anglican Church Okpoko, Dominion Anglican Church

 

Okpoko, Chapel of Restoration, metallurgical Training Institute, Owerri Road. Overcomer’s Anglican Church, Anglican Church of His Miraculous Power and Saint Peter’s Extension Anata-Anaba.

 

So as Okpoko Archdeaconry hosts the third session of the sixth Synod of the Ogbaru Diocese of the Anglican Communion, the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry Venerable Ken Paul Emoka and the Chairman Diocesan Central Planning Committee, Venerable Paul Odukwe, have opened their arms to receive the Diocesan officials, Synod delegates, and friends of Ogbaru Diocese to the area.

 

Written by VEN. EDOZIE ONWUYI