The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will take place on Wednesday 9th April at 7.30pm in the John Fryth Room. As part of the preparations, we have to completely revise the church Electoral Roll this year in advance of the meeting.
This means that everyone - new and existing members - must complete a new form by Tuesday 25th March 2025. Once the information received has been collated, it will be displayed on the church door (names only) for 14 days prior to the APCM.
What is the Electoral Roll?
The Electoral Roll lists everyone who can vote in the APCM and you will need to be included to stand for election to the PCC - the church's governing body - and roles such as churchwarden. To be on the Electoral Roll you need to be:
(i) baptised and aged 16 or over; and
(ii) have signed a form of application for enrolment; and either
(iii) a member of the Church of England or any Church in communion with the Church of England being resident in the parish or (not being resident in the parish) having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the six months prior to the application for enrolment; or:
(iv) a member in good standing of a Church (not in communion with the Church of England), which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity declaring yourself also to be members of the Church of England and having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the period of six months prior to enrolment.
Why be on the Electoral Roll?
Being on St Mary's Electoral Roll is a way of saying 'I belong' to St Mary's Church. It entitles you to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) on Wednesday 9th April 2025 and to stand for election to the PCC - the church's governing body - and for roles such as churchwarden.
Application forms are available at the back of church, from the Benefice Office or by clicking on the link on this page. Completed forms can be returned to our Electoral Roll Officer, Karen Smart directly or via the office. If you have any queries, please contact Karen via the office on 01959 561 3308 / [email protected]
The Church Family
This is a time of significant change in the life of St Mary's Church as we continue our journey as a benefice with Crockham Hill. While we still have much to thank God for, we will have some challenges ahead of us as we look to adjust to the new normal of our world and our church life. Over the last few years, many people have found themselves reflecting on who God is calling them to be, and for many at St Mary's what he is calling us to do as his church.
One of the special things about St Mary's is the sense of family we find here, a family of very different people who are drawn together by Jesus' love for us and our desire to follow him. We hope that you will not only want to be on the Electoral Roll, but will also be prayerfully asking God how else he is calling you to be part of the body of Christ here. This means thinking about how you can get more involved in taking part in our worship and mission and reflecting on how you can use your gifts and talents to serve God here. We would also encourage you to pray about your financial giving: if you have not signed up to a regular giving scheme, please consider if God is calling you to do this. If you are a regular giver, please consider if God is asking you to increase your giving. We would be delighted to hear from you if you wish to donate to St Mary's.