An Act of Commitment
This year we will be renewing our Electoral Roll, a process which occurs every six years. With this advance notice, the renewal process has effectively begun ..
What does this process involve? Everyone will be required to fill in a fresh form so that his or her name is re-entered on a new Roll and the old roll discarded. It makes no difference how long your name has been on the current Roll, you still have to fill in a fresh application form I’m afraid. A notice reminding you that the renewal process is imminent will be going up in the Church porch later on this month and you will be reminded in the pew sheets and by the clergy in subsequent services to fill in and return your forms. Forms will be sent out to everyone in the Parish address book and you should be receiving yours shortly. Please let us know if you have not received a form by 18 March and we will let you have another one. You will need to return your form to me, by 30 March. You may hand deliver it or forward it by post or c/o the Parish office.
Why go on the ER? Although completion of the form is voluntary, it is vital that our ER reflects the commitment to Hampstead Parish Church which is shown in so many ways by our parishioners every day. Being on the ER means that you can vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. It also means that even if you are not resident in the Parish, you are entitled to get married at the Parish Church. It does not mean that you will be coerced into doing more than you would otherwise wish to do. Since joining the ER also entitles you to a greater involvement in the life of the Church, at deanery, diocesan and national levels, kindly note that the information you provide in your form may be used for legitimate purposes connected with the administration of our Parish and for general ecclesiastical purposes connected with our Parish. Enrolment is an important statement of witness so please spread the word, create a lot of enthusiasm and complete and return your form promptly!
Am I Eligible? Under the Church Representation Rules membership is the entitlement of any persons who:
(i) are baptised and aged 16 or over;
(ii) have signed a form of application for enrolment; and
either
(iii) are members of the Church of England (or of a 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) are members in good standing of a Church (not in communion with the Church of England) which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity declaring themselves to be also members of the Church of England and having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the period of six months prior to enrolment.
Gaynor Bassey
* At present only other Anglican Churches and certain foreign Churches are in communion with the Church of England. A list is displayed on the notice board.
Electoral Roll Renewal
Gaynor Bassey