Join the RollThis year the Church of England requires us to completely renew the church electoral roll. This has to happen every six years, and means you need to fill in a new application form to remain on the roll, even if you are already on the current one.
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APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
What is the Electoral Roll?
It is the church's register of electors. In the same way that being on the civic electoral roll allows you to vote in political elections and referenda, joining the Church electoral roll means that you can vote on Church matters, attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and stand for election to the PCC (our governing body).
Do I have to join?
You can, of course, be a full and active member of our churches without joining the roll. Being on the electoral roll does not entail signing up to any additional commitments, however, it does help the Church show its strength. Representation on the governing bodies of the church depends on the number on the electoral roll.
Joining the roll is essential if you wish to:
What does the Electoral Roll affect?
The size of the roll determines how many people can be on the PCC. If the roll is not representative this can mean that the PCC is too small for the workload involved, putting heavy strain on the members. It also determines how many representatives we can send to the Deanery Synod.
The Church of England is governed by a synodical system which joins with the Bishops to make decisions. Being on the electoral roll is the entry point, and Christians share an individual responsibility to be part of the "Body of Christ" and to participate fully in our part of His Church. This system is intended to enable church people at every level to be in touch with the Church as a whole and to play their part in decision making. Also, the system is intended to ensure that the laity have their place in every aspect of church life, including doctrine and services.
Do I qualify for the roll?
To apply for the electoral roll you must meet ALL the following conditions:
*a 'member' essentially means being baptized, a commitment to the Bible and sacraments (Baptism/Communion), and actively participating in the life of the Church of England community, usually through our church(s)
Why join the Electoral Roll?
Joining the electoral roll is an important way of confirming your commitment to our church community and to the vision of the church. But it also opens up the way for greater involvement in the life of the Church of England, at Deanery, Diocesan and national levels. By joining, you become entitled to participate in the government of the church and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where the elections take place for:
Any person entitled to attend the APCM may raise any question of parochial or general church interest.
In addition, those who live outside the Parish but are on the electoral roll enjoy all the rights and privileges that go with being resident in the parish (for example, baptisms and weddings).
Joining the roll is an important statement of witness and a step along the path of discipleship. With your name on the electoral roll, the strength of the Church can be seen in our local area, and across the Diocese. If you're a regular at our churches, you should be on the electoral roll!
How do I join?
Application forms can downloaded below in an electronic form - for completion electronically or by hand. These forms should then be emailed to the relevant electoral roll officer, or returned to the relevant church in hard copy.
If you would like to pick up a hard copy for completion, you should find blank copies of the relevant form at the back of each of our churches.
Please note that only names will appear on the published roll, other personal details (addresses and email addresses) are not published.
It is the church's register of electors. In the same way that being on the civic electoral roll allows you to vote in political elections and referenda, joining the Church electoral roll means that you can vote on Church matters, attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and stand for election to the PCC (our governing body).
Do I have to join?
You can, of course, be a full and active member of our churches without joining the roll. Being on the electoral roll does not entail signing up to any additional commitments, however, it does help the Church show its strength. Representation on the governing bodies of the church depends on the number on the electoral roll.
Joining the roll is essential if you wish to:
- Stand for election to the PCC or Deanery Synod, or
- Attend the APCM and participate in votes
What does the Electoral Roll affect?
The size of the roll determines how many people can be on the PCC. If the roll is not representative this can mean that the PCC is too small for the workload involved, putting heavy strain on the members. It also determines how many representatives we can send to the Deanery Synod.
The Church of England is governed by a synodical system which joins with the Bishops to make decisions. Being on the electoral roll is the entry point, and Christians share an individual responsibility to be part of the "Body of Christ" and to participate fully in our part of His Church. This system is intended to enable church people at every level to be in touch with the Church as a whole and to play their part in decision making. Also, the system is intended to ensure that the laity have their place in every aspect of church life, including doctrine and services.
Do I qualify for the roll?
To apply for the electoral roll you must meet ALL the following conditions:
- You must be aged 16 or over (though you can apply in the year you become 16 and your name will be entered once your birth date has passed);
- You must be baptised; and
- You must be a member of the Church of England* and EITHER live in the parish OR have attended at the relevant church regularly for at least 6 months.
*a 'member' essentially means being baptized, a commitment to the Bible and sacraments (Baptism/Communion), and actively participating in the life of the Church of England community, usually through our church(s)
Why join the Electoral Roll?
Joining the electoral roll is an important way of confirming your commitment to our church community and to the vision of the church. But it also opens up the way for greater involvement in the life of the Church of England, at Deanery, Diocesan and national levels. By joining, you become entitled to participate in the government of the church and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where the elections take place for:
- the Parochial Church Council (PCC)
- the parish's representatives on the Deanery Synod.
Any person entitled to attend the APCM may raise any question of parochial or general church interest.
In addition, those who live outside the Parish but are on the electoral roll enjoy all the rights and privileges that go with being resident in the parish (for example, baptisms and weddings).
Joining the roll is an important statement of witness and a step along the path of discipleship. With your name on the electoral roll, the strength of the Church can be seen in our local area, and across the Diocese. If you're a regular at our churches, you should be on the electoral roll!
How do I join?
Application forms can downloaded below in an electronic form - for completion electronically or by hand. These forms should then be emailed to the relevant electoral roll officer, or returned to the relevant church in hard copy.
If you would like to pick up a hard copy for completion, you should find blank copies of the relevant form at the back of each of our churches.
Please note that only names will appear on the published roll, other personal details (addresses and email addresses) are not published.
