By Uzo Ugwunze
Archdeacon, CHS Archdeaconry, Awka, Venerable Dr Onyeka Egwuonwu has decried situations where some women are married but remain strangers in their homes.
Ven.Dr Egwuonwu spoke Sunday in his sermon to mark the 2025 Mothering Sunday celebration of the Church of The Holy Spirit, inside Paul University, Awka Anambra State.
He encouraged women to be bridge builders for peace and love to thrive in their families at every circumstance for the sake of their children’s mental and emotional stability.
He pointed out that some people live in mansions that are just houses but not home sequels to lack of love, peace and joy.
Ven.Dr Egwuonwu who is also the Vicar, Church of The Holy Spirit, Awka requested women to shun satanic tendencies,but rather to be eternally vigilant, to raise a generation of children who are God fearing and human for the sake of humanity.
The Vicar who lectures at the Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka warned against emotional stress in the family , urging women to use wisdom, selflessness and systemic attention to details to navigate the tensions on the family yet appreciative of God’s grace and blessings for the gift of family.
He did not spare men as he encouraged them to appreciate and give their wives attention always for a healthy home.
He commended Vicar’s wife Barr.Chioma Egwuonwu and the
Chairperson,2025 Mothering Sunday Planning committee, His Worship, Amaka Sopulu-Ezeonwuka and her team for their zeal and commitment to ensure a successful outing.
The Vicar’s wife, Barr. Egwuonwu who is the Vice-President, Mothers Union, Women’s Guild, Girls Guild and Young Wives, CHS Archdeaconry Awka encouraged women to be cheerful at all circumstances in order to distract Satan and his envoys from intended havoc in the family, even as she gifted every woman who attended the Mothering Sunday service with a dozen of table spoon.
Barr. Egwuonwu described mothers as selfless, committed and loving, sacrificing their need and want for their children. She encouraged mothers to continue to give life to thier homes as bridges between their husbands and their children.
Three women were celebrated for their remarkable journey of faith , steadfast dedication to God’s work and their unwavering faith to humanity, including Mrs. Esther Erike from Nibo Awka South, Lady Nonyelu Ezeudemba from Nanka Orumba North and Lady Joy Ughasoro from Eziagu Orumba South.
In her remarks, the Chairperson, 2025 Mothering Sunday Planning committee, His Worship, Amaka Sopulu-Ezeonwuka appreciated friends and members of the church for the huge support and reassured God’s work must continue unabated.
Barr.Egwuonwu was flanked by other clergy wives including Nneora Blessing Otiji who conducted the service and led mothering Sunday songs by women, Nneora Ebele Ezeonyi and Nneora Ijeoma Anaemena as well as Mrs Ozioma Chukwujiaku ,wife of the church teacher.
Ven.Dr Egwuonwu was assisted by priest Assistants Revd. Augustine Otiji, Revd.Dr Nnaemeka Ezeonyi and Revd. Engr. Chijioke Anaemena as well as Mr Obiora Chukwujiaka, the Church Teacher.
In a goodwill message to the mothers in the Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka, Anglican communion, the President, Mothers Union, Women’s Guild, Girls Guild and Young Wives, Province of the Niger and Diocese of Awka insisted that the ministry of womenhood is reflection of God’s love and grace, hence women should focus on that whether at home, church and society at large.
The secretary, Women General meeting of the Church of The Holy Spirit Awka and Joy family Group, Mrs. Esther Obialunamma Odogwu Emeka Odogwu in a brief interview described this year’s mothering Sunday as outstanding and well organized.
Mrs. Odogwu better known as Angel Odogwu who joined CHS Awka in 2009, said every other mothering Sunday committee before now stood tall in their own rights, and commended women for their commitment and dedication in God’s vineyard.
His Worship Amaka Sopulu-Ezeonwuka had Mrs. Cynthia Ude as Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Chiamaka Ezeanata as Secretary and Mrs.Amara Okpala as Treasurer. Other members were Mrs.Ngozi Egoh, Mrs.Adaeze Obi, Dr.Mrs.Ngozi Ossy-Agbata, Mrs.Stella Ezenagu , Dr.Mrs.Ifeoma Ochiogu and Lady Ogoma Onyeakpa.