What is the Electoral Roll?
This is the parish church's register of electors. It is an important way of confirming your commitment to the parish community and to the vision of the church. It means you can vote on church matters, attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and stand for election to the PCC or Deanery Synod. Being on the Electoral Roll does NOT make you a 'member' of the Church; simply regarding the church as your spiritual home does that. Indeed, a condition of joining the Roll is that you are already a 'member' of a Church!
You can of course be a full and active member of the 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 in the local area and nationally.
The Electoral Roll is revised each year before the APCM and every six years (from 2013 onwards) the Roll is completely renewed, no names are carried over from the old Roll and everyone must make a new application to be included in the new Roll.
Do I qualify to go on the Roll?
To apply to go on the Electoral Roll you must meet ALL the following conditions:
- You must be aged 16 or over (although 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;
- You must be a member of the Church of England and EITHER live in the parish OR have attended a church in the parish regularly for at least 6 months.
How do I join?
Application forms are available from the Parish Administrator, email vicky.fowkes@live.co.uk, or the priest-in-charge Revd Ilse Ferwerda, email apperleypriest@gmail.com, telephone 01452 780880. Fill in your full name and address and tick the appropriate boxes (see the explanation on the form). Return the completed form to the administrator.
I can't remember if I have joined already
Contact the administrator and she will check if you are on the Electoral Roll.
My details have changed recently
If you are on the Roll and your contact details have recently changed, it would be helpful if you could notify the administrator so that they can amend the database and the Electoral Roll.
If you have any queries in relation to any of the above please do not hesitate to contact the administrator.