A TRADITIONAL Nigerian naming ceremony has been held by members of a Staffordshire Baptist church.

The congregation of Newcastle under Lyme Baptist Church (NBC) recently welcomed Dzam and Comfort Mshelia from Nigeria.

The couple have just had a baby daughter. In Nigeria, tradition calls for a naming ceremony to be held, with which the whole community would be involved.

Forty people attended the ceremony, held at the couple’s flat.

The child’s name, which was chosen by her father, is Mercy (Compassionate) Hyeladzira (God is with me) Godiya (Thank God) Manasoko (the Grace of God). Minister the Revd Nik Hookey said a prayer of blessing for the baby, who slept through the entire ceremony.

Marian Bellingham, NBC’s family news secretary, said, ‘For us it was a joy to share in this event, making us aware of the worldwide family of those who follow Jesus.’

(Article courtesy of the Baptist Times)