Church Electoral Role
by KMJ | 8 June, 2010 - 10:44
Dear Reverend,
My fiancée and I are getting married this September in a church outside our parish that we have been attending for approximately 9 months. The Rev. has given us the ‘application for enrolment of the church electoral roll of the parish of:’ form, but unfortunately I am having difficulty completing it.
The first declaration we have to make is that we are baptized, which we are not. I have looked up many websites, but have found conflicting information on the church electoral roll.
Can you please explain what our options are?
Many thanks from a most concerned and bride to be.
Kind regards
Kate.
Comments
Hi Kate
Technically you can only join a Church Electoral Roll if you are baptised. Being on the roll allows you full voting rights, which is why you need to demonstrate a commitment.
However you don't need to join the electoral roll in order to marry there as you now qualify to be married there anyway - as you have been habitually attending worship there for more than 6 months. You can point your Vicar to the list of qualifying links under the new Marriage Measure which includes that one.
As you've been attending the church for such a long time you may want to be baptised anyway and that will always be an open invitation to you. Have you considered it? If so have a chat with the Vicar - who will be delighted to discuss this with you.
Warm regards
Jan x