Quick questions and answers
What does it mean to be on the electoral roll of a church?
Each parish has an electoral roll. It is a list of people who are registered to vote in an election and have a say in how things are run. Each year, St Mary’s elects its churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Council that supports the vicar in the running of the church. This takes place at the Annual Parish Meeting which all electors are invited to attend. Sometimes, if there are more candidates than available places, a balloted election can be held before the meeting, and it is for those on the electoral roll who chose.
Who is eligible?
Full details are given on the application form, but a quick summary is:
- you must be 16 or over (or reach 16 within the next 12 months) and have been baptised
and
- be a member of the Church of England (or another church either in communion with the Church of England or sharing a common doctrine of faith) and live within the ecclesiastical parish of Bitton.
If you do not live within the parish but worship at St Mary’s you may also be on the electoral roll. You need to make a declaration on the application form.
I live in Bitton but don’t come to church very often. Can I still be on the electoral roll?
Yes, if you otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.
I don’t live in Bitton and while I have been baptised, I don’t come to church at St Mary’s. Can I be on the electoral roll?
No. that is not within the eligibility criteria. If you live in England you will reside within the area of a Church of England Parish and you are likely to be eligible for inclusion in that parish’s electoral roll.
Is there a cost like a membership fee?
No. The church is open to all. There is no requirement to make any payment whatsoever to be on the electoral roll or for entry to church services.
Does it mean I have to attend every service?
No. Attendance is a matter for you. We offer a range of services aimed at different sections of the community. You will want to select the ones that meet your needs.
How do I know if I live in the ecclesiastical parish?
The ecclesiastical parish of Bitton includes Bitton Village, Beach, Upton Cheyney and Swineford. It also includes Willsbridge but only the southside of the Bath Road and the Keynsham Road. MAP OF ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH
What’s the difference between a civil and ecclesiastical parish?
Until the nineteenth century the ecclesiastical (church) parish and the civil parish were the same, being the designated area in and around a village served by a parish church. The parish, through the church, was then also responsible for many functions of local administration, such as repair of roads and law and order. So as local government started to be reformed and democratised the term parish continued to be used to describe an area of local government; but geographically, the two areas may differ. The civil parish of Bitton, includes Oldland Common for example, while the church or ecclesiastical parish does not.
Can my application be refused?
Applications are taken on a personal declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria. Your name can be removed from inclusion if the declaration is found to be false or you cease to meet the criteria.
Why do you want my email and mobile phone number?
There is no obligation on you to provide either, but to be more effective and modern in our communications we would like you to provide us with these contact details whether or not you wish to apply for inclusion on the electoral roll.
When do I get to vote?
You get to vote at the Annual Parish Meeting which usually takes place in April. You may also get to vote for members of the PCC, churchwardens and other appointments when there are more candidates than positions (though sadly, this has not been the case for many years). Being an elector also entitles you to stand.
What does being a member of the church of England mean?
There is no formal membership of the Church of England. You are usually welcomed into the church by way of baptism. But as long as you live in the parish and do not follow another faith or doctrines that are incompatible with the Church of England you can be considered a member.
Which churches are in communion with the Church of England?
These are churches within the worldwide Anglican Communion. They include the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Church of Wales and the Church of Ireland. They also include Anglican churches in other countries such as the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States.
Which churches accept the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity?
The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is central to the church’s beliefs that God is one being: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit together. This is an accepted doctrine by most catholic, orthodox and protestant churches. Non-Trinitarian churches would include Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and some Pentecostal groups.
How do you look after my personal data?
We are already careful about how we use personal data that is given to us. Our full data management policy is provided on our website.
When you give us personal information such as your email address or mobile phone number we will make it clear to you the purposes to which it will be put. The information will be held in a Church Directory held by the Secretary to the Parochial Church Council which will also record your directions on the way it can be used. We do not share data with third parties outside of the church.
