Retreat: Warri clergy wives urged to please God, shun temptation

President of the Mothers’ Union and Women’s Guild, Diocese of Warri Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Mrs. Patience O. E. Ide recently led the clergy wives of the Diocese to a-three-day Retreat at the Ibru Centre Agbarha-otor, Delta State.

Themed: “Living To Please God,” and text taken from 1Thess. 4:1-2, the retreat held from August 29 to 31, 2022; featured Bible studies, prayers, meditations, talks and Holy Communion Service celebrated by the Diocesan Chaplain of the Women Ministry, Ven. Dominic N. C. Jiroro.

Jiroro urged the clergy wives to please God in all their endeavours and to shun the temptation of pleasing parishioners, friends and other interest groups at the expense of pleasing God.

He said that as they had the responsibility of pleasing their husbands by ensuring that their dressing, speech and general attitudes would not offend their husbands or negate their personalities or the dignity of their sacerdotal office, same way they should fashion their lives to conform to God’s nature by exhibiting love and holiness as ways to please Him. Citing the example of a lawyer who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, the Venerable noted that one can only enter God’s kingdom by pleasing Him, loving Him sincerely and loving one’s neighbours.

“The Good Samaritan pleased God by having pity on the attacked man. Let us live our lives to please God, not man. Let our deeds and attitudes be guided by the standard of God and his demands. Make every effort to live in peace with everyaone and to be holy, for without holiness, no one can see God.”