At the Annual General meeting held on Thursday 1st. March 4 members were voted onto the diaconate - Pat Peel and Maurice Mathison take up new positions and Brenda and myself were re-elected. This will bring the diaconate level up to 8 including Abel Rees our Moderator.
Doreen Brumby decided that, after John's arrival at home, she would not be able to carry out all the things that she had in the past, and has decided that, after 20 years of arranging the Church flowers every week, she will step down from this service. The meeting expressed their sincere thanks to Doreen for her faithfulness in carrying out this task. We are however now looking to set up a system to ensure that every week flowers will be supplied and arranged in the church. Are you able to offer your services? This may not have to be every week, so if you can offer any assistance please give me a ring.
We are also looking for willing volunteers to be on the Building Fund committee and the Church/Manse property group. Again if you are able to help or would like some more imformation please speak to me.
The meeting also agreed that the replacement of the manse bathroom suite (monies from last years gift day) be held until the arrival of a minister at the manse. this will mean that guarentees on the products will not start until the premises are occupied. It was agreed by the meeting that the monies from this years gift day be placed in the building fund.

The NBA Assembly this year will be held on the 6th and 7th of April at Bethany Christian Centre in Houghton-le-Spring. If you would like to attend please let me know by Sunday 18th March.

The Diaconate are to meet with the Rev Ernie Whalley on Sunday afternoon of 18th March to discuss the pastoral vacancy and the poor response from ministers. A special prayer morning has been arranged for Saturday 17th March from 9.30- 11.30, to allow the fellowship to prayer about the situation. This will be a drop-in type meeting where you can arrive and leave when you wish. We will also be holding a Building Fund coffee morning at the same time which will allow you to have a cup of coffee and a time of fellowship before or after the event.

The Deacons' Dedication Service will be held on 18th March at the morning service and will be conducted by Abel.

Easter is fast approaching and the arrangements are as follows :-

• The Maundy Thursday service will be the usual joint service and we will be joining with Westoe Road Baptist.
• The Good Friday March will take place as normal at Harton Junior School and the speaker at the school and at the 11.00 service will be Paul Willmott. You may remember that Paul conduted the February All-Age Worship. We would like to encourage members of the uniformed organisations to attend the 11.00 service.
• The evening service on Easter Sunday will be led by Father Graeme Buttery and The folks from St. Lawrence will join us.

The Gift Day this year will be hald on Sunday 17th June and the speaker is Rev. Ernie Whalley (our area superintendent).

The Diaconate have suggested that each month in the newsletter we ask one organisation/group to give us an update on what has been happening in the last year. this will take place from the April edition, get your pens at the ready!

Don't forget that items for inclusion in the Easter magazine must be handed to Denise by Sunday 25th March.

Copies of the Treasurer's and Secretary's report are available in the vestibule.

I would like to express my thanks to David Hoskins, who, since January, has taken over the booking of speakers for the evening services. Thanks David, this is appreciated.

Remember Maurice in your prayers, he goes before the Ministerial Recognition Group on Monday March 12th.

This Newsletter is published on the first sunday of each month, do you have any info/news that you would like to tell the fellowship, if so why not include it in one of the future editions. Just give me a ring, or send me an e-mail (David@dsim50.freeserve.co.uk)

David