The Diaconate met with the Rev. Ernie Whalley (Area Superintendent) on Sunday 18th March to discuss the ministerial vacancy. Ernie is conscious that we are finding it difficult even to arrange an initial meeting with a Minister and the Diaconate/Church. He did stress that this is in no way a reflection on the Church/fellowship and we must not be discouraged. It was suggested that we amend the profile which is given to ministers and this has taken place in conjunction with Abel Rees. Ernie will be conducting our morning service on 17th June (Gift Day). Please continue to pray for the ministerial vacancy.

It was encouraging to see the number of people who attended the prayer/coffee morning on the 17th March and it has been suggested that we hold a half hour prayer session each building fund coffee morning.

On Sunday the 29th April we will be taking part in Church Profile Sunday. This is a questionaire for all attending the service on that day to take part in. (You will find miore details about this in the Easter edition of the church magazine.) It is a national project organised by Churches In Mission with which the Baptist Union are associated. The Baptist Union are sponsoring certain churches around the country to take part in this questionaire of which we are one. The questionaire will be completed during the second part of the morning service so the format will be different to our normal structure. Please complete the questionaire as honestly as possible as we will receive a report which will allow us to look at areas which we can build and develop. This will be good ground work pending the arrival of a new minister. The questionaire is designed to encourage mission within the Church and it is anonymous. Some will remember the AIM report the Church took part in about 8 years ago which was of benefit to the church. This project although not as intense will give us similar information.

Thanks to those of the fellowship who offered their services on the vestibule welcoming rota - if anyone else would like to be included or wants more information please speak to me.

I am also grateful to Pat Peel and Dawn Hoskins who have volunteered to help arrange the church flowers. I would like if possible two more helpers and then we could form a rota with each person doing a monthly slot, which would be three times per year. If you could offer your services that would be much appreciated. Thanks also to those people who have agreed to have flowers in the Church on certain dates and give a donation towards the cost. If you would like to be included on the flower list please speak to me. We are also looking to give the flowers to those in the fellowship who are sick, if you know of anyone who would appreciate some flowers, again speak to me.

Easter is nearly upon us, and this year the Maundy Thursday service on the 12th April will be held at Westoe Road Baptist at 7.30pm. the March of Witness will leave the church on Good Friday Morning at 9.30am, the service in the school yard will be conducted by Paul Willmott (he conducted the February all-age worship). Paul is also taking the service at the church at 11.00am. This service will not be the normal meditation type service and we want to encourage the children/young people of the organisations to attend. Please encourage those in all organisations and meetings/groups to attend.

On Monday the 9th April Steve Chalk is speaking at bethshan Church in Stanhope Street,Newcastle, the theme is Faithworks, and it commences at 8.00pm. The event is hosted by Westgate Road Baptist, but is held at Bethshan to accommodate more people. If you would like to attend please ring Westgate Road's Church office on 2720647.

There will be an NBA Cluster Group meeting held on Friday 27th April at 7.30pm at Westgate Road Baptist. This meeting is entitled Demolishing Strongholds and anyone is welcome to attend.

We have been informed by David Lennox, NBA Secretary, that the new Regional Minister for the newly formed North Region will be the Rev. John Claydon from Durham baptist Church. John will take up the position from 1st Jan 2002. He will replace Ernie Whalley who will be Regional Minister in Yorkshire.

David