APCM

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The APCM is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Actually it comprises two meetings the ‘Vestry Meeting’ which elects the Church Wardens for the coming year and the APCM itself which is the business meeting of the Church (it’s a sort of AGM for parish churches). It’s a meeting we’re legally required to have and must take place before the 31st May each year. The meeting is only open to members of the Church electoral roll, and those present vote on the appointment of PCC members, Deanery Synod representatives, and to accept the audited accounts of the Church. It is also an opportunity to catch up with the events of the last year and to explore the vision for the coming year together. Most of all it’s a celebration of all God has been doing in the life of the Church as we look forward to the coming year.

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So how do I join the electoral roll? And what exactly is it?

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The electoral roll is literally a register of people who are able to elect other people in the church, a bit like being on the civic electoral roll allows you to vote in local and Parliamentary elections. Being on the church electoral roll means that you can vote on any relevant issues at the APCM and stand for election to the PCC (the church council). 

Although the electoral roll is the closest thing the Church of England has to official membership, just signing up doesn’t really make you a member of the church. It’s more like you are already a ‘member’, by coming regularly to Emmanuel and participating in the life of the church, and that would be your reason for being on the electoral roll. 

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To apply to join the church electoral roll, you must: 

• be 16 years old or over (although you can apply in the year you become 16 and you can be on the electoral roll once your birthday has passed) 

• be baptised 

• either live in the parish or have attended the church regularly for at least 6 months 

 

If you have regularly joined us online in the past year, you might also want to be on the electoral roll. You can also be on the electoral roll of more than one church. 

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You can apply by filling in your details on this form (these are also available in the concourse, at the Sunday services and when the church is open during the week, from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday). Simply fill in the form and return it through the church office letterbox, as it will need your signature on it. 

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Other advantages… 

Joining the electoral roll can be a way of confirming your commitment to the Emmanuel community and to our vision (Who What How Why). But it also allows you to take part in the life of the wider Church of England, at, deanery, diocese and even national levels, if you’re interested in that. 

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The deadline… 

Each year we have a specific time period where we update the electoral roll. This year (2023) we have from 26 March to 9 April. 

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