Every year, the church has an annual meeting. It is actually one meeting held to facilitate two separate meetings, both of which are important for the governance and functioning of the church in its mission and ministry.
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners
This is a very short meeting with basically one agenda item – the election of Church Wardens for the coming year. It is open to any member of the church Electoral Roll and to any resident of the parish whose name is entered on a register of local government electors by reason of such residence.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting
This is a longer meeting. It is open to any member of the Church Electoral Roll (i.e. a smaller pool than the first meeting). Its business includes receiving a report from the Parochial Church Council (PCC) on its activities during the previous calendar year and the financial statements for the same period. Church Wardens present a report on “Fixtures and Fittings” – related to the maintenance of the Parish Church building.
There are also other reports from the Electoral Roll Officer (keeping track of who has joined or left the Church’s Electoral Roll), from the Parish Safeguarding Officer and from the Deanery Synod.
Finally, elections are held for the parish’s representative upon the Deanery Synod (every three years) and for the membership of the Parochial Church Council for the coming year.
This is a good meeting for church members to attend to keep informed of how the PCC is seeking to further the church’s mission and ministry. Questions are encouraged – it is important that the membership understands and can support the PCC’s objectives.