Enrolment on the Church electoral roll is an act of commitment to St. Paul’s Church, and the church as a whole. It opens the way for a greater involvement in the life of the church at parish, deanery, diocesan and national levels.
What is the Electoral Roll?
It is your parish church’s register of electors. In the same way that being on the civic Electoral Roll allows you to vote in parliamentary and local 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 Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Do I have to join?
You can, of course, be a full and active member of St Paul’s without joining the Roll. Being on the Electoral Roll does not entail signing up to any additional commitments. However it does help the Church know how many of its regular worshippers are committed to its life. Representation on the governing bodies of the church also depends on the number on the Electoral Roll.
Joining the Roll is compulsory if you wish to: Stand for election to the PCC or other synodical council (such as the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synod) attend the APCM and participate in votes.
Who can be included on the Electoral Roll?
To be entitled to be included on the Electoral Roll, a lay person must have: been Baptised, and attained their sixteenth birthday on or before the date of the annual parochial church meeting, and submitted a signed application form for enrolment, and must be one of the following:
* a member of the Church of England, or of a Church in communion with the Church of England, and resident in the parish; or
* a member of the Church of England and, not being resident in the parish, to have habitually attended public worship in the parish during a period of six months prior to enrolment; or
* a member in good standing of a Church which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity (not being a Church in communion with the Church of England) and also prepared to declare themselves to be a member of the Church of England having habitually attended public worship in the parish during a period of six months prior to enrolment.
The electoral roll is fully renewed every 6 years (every one needs to reapply).
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to ask Canon Paul Doick, one of the Churchwardens, or the Electoral Roll Officer (Sue Foster) who can be contacted via the church office at electoralroll@stpaulschichester.org