ELECTORAL ROLL

Electoral Roll – What's it all about?

Once a year, all churches are required to renew their 'Electoral Roll', but what does this mean? Being on the Electoral Roll does not make you a 'member' of the Church; simply regarding St Nicholas's as your spiritual home does that but if you are over 16 years of age and wish to be able to vote on church matters, participate in the Annual Parochial Church Meeting or hold any official position within the church, for example on the Parochial Church Council (PCC), then you need to fill in an electoral roll form. This does not entail signing up to any additional commitments; however, it does help the Church show its strength. For those not aware, the PCC is the committee, chaired by the Vicar, that manages all aspects of church life in our beautiful village.

The Church Electoral Roll has absolutely nothing to do with the political or civic Electoral Roll (ie being able to vote in parliamentary or local elections), the 2 things are entirely different and whilst just about every adult is on the civic Electoral Roll, we would love you all to join our Roll too.

Last year, we had 122 individuals on our Church Electoral Roll at St Nicholas, this year it's gone up to 126 but at the same time we are delighted to say that our average attendance at church services has increased by around 20% - we are a thriving parish and very proud of that fact but we would like to see this increase in attendance reflected in the numbers in the Electoral Roll.

All you have to do to join our Electoral Roll is complete a form at the back of church and either hand it to Rev. Philip Chew or any of the 4 Churchwardens (Lynda Lancaster, Liz Almond, Phil Heighway or myself). Alternatively, you can print one off from the diocesan website (found under church resources) and if you wish you can email it to me at: ptommytaylor@aol.com.

Any questions, my mobile number is : 07787 515182

Many thanks for your help with this matter, we really would love to have you onboard!

Tommy Taylor, Electoral Roll Officer, St.Nicholas Church of England, Ribby-cum-Wrea, Lancashire.