By Kamsi Anayo
The four-day annual Synod of the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion, ended on Sunday, with a call on Christians to sincerely cultivate the spirit of giving genuine care for God’s children.
The Synod whose theme was, ‘Feed My Lambs’ commenced on June 8, took place at St John’s Anglican Church, Fegge, Onitsha, Anambra state.
In the homily which he delivered during the closing Church Service, the Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Kaduna, the Rt Rev Dr Ali Baba Lamido, explained the need for Christians to develop the spirit of giving, especially selfless care for the lambs of God.
He remarked that giving and dutiful care for God’s lambs and sheep were veritable means of investing in heaven, adding that by so doing one would have obeyed Christ’s injunction, ” to feed My Lambs”.
According to him, he who feeds God’s lambs loves God and can truly be considered a genuine child of God.
The bishop had, while prescribing the type and quality of food for the lambs, insisted that those who feed lambs should provide them with healthy spiritual and material substances, stressing now was the time to do so.
Although the bishop strongly emphasised the habit of selfless giving, he said that one should first learn how to feed oneself aright before attending to others, stating “You cannot feed others if you cannot feed yourself”.
Lamido congratulated the diocese on the approval of her university, the University on the Niger, by the Federal Government and encouraged the parishioners to wholeheartedly support the project, likening it to a special form of lambs-feeding.
“That somebody has to feed the lambs means that the Gospel has to be preached in all spheres and always”, he said.
He entreated the parishioners to endeavour to keep what he called “the present finery enthusiasm aglow”.
The closing Synod service featured colourful presentations and thanksgivings by the archdeaconries of the diocese formally led by the Bishop Nwokolo family.
A major feature of the closing ceremony was the glamorous Synod cake-cutting from which funds were raised for the University on the Niger.
In a detailed vote of thanks, the Diocesan, the Rt Rev Dr Owen Nwokolo, expressed profound gratitude to individuals and groups who he said contributed towards the success of the Synod.
He announced that next year’s Synod would be hosted by St Christopher Anglican, Odoakpu, Onitsha.
