Church Information

This page summarises the management of St Andrew's Church by your Parochial Church Council. 

Previous minutes from PCC meetings are available below. Earlier minutes may be viewed by contacting Colin Blagrove.

Previous minutes (archive only)

Annual Church Meetings

As we approach this year’s Annual Church Meetings, we would appreciate nominations for the key roles of Churchwarden, Parish Safeguarding Officer, Electoral Roll Officer and PCC Secretary. I need hardly remind you that without volunteers in these roles we cannot function effectively. If you would like to join the West Deeping PCC in any of these roles or know anyone who might be interested please let Father Aran Beesley or any member of the PCC know.

Electoral Roll 

What is the Electoral Roll?

It is your parish church’s register of electors. In the same way that being on the civic Electoral Roll allows you to vote in parliamentary and local elections and referenda, joining the Church Electoral Roll means that you can vote on Church matters, attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and stand for election to the PCC.

Being on the Electoral Roll does NOT make you a “member” of the Church; simply regarding St Andrew’s Church as your spiritual home does that. Indeed, a condition of joining the Roll is that you are already a “member” of a Church!

Do I have to join?

You can of course be a full and active member of St Andrew’s Church without joining the Roll. Being on the Electoral Roll does not entail signing up to any additional commitments. However, it does help the Church show its strength. Representation on the governing bodies of the church depends on the number on the Electoral Roll, so it would be good if we can increase the numbers!

Joining the Roll is compulsory if you wish to:

• Stand for election to the PCC or other synodical council (such as the Deanery, Diocesan or General Synod)
• Attend the APCM and participate in votes
• Get married or baptise your children in St Andrew’s Church (if you live outside the parish of West Deeping)

What does the Electoral Roll affect?

The Electoral Roll affects the maximum number of PCC lay members and representation on the governing bodies of the Church (PCC, Stamford Deanery Synod, Lincoln Diocesan and General Synod).

The Church of England is governed by a synodical system which joins with the Bishops to make decisions. Being on the Electoral Roll is the entry point and Christians share an individual responsibility to be part of the “Body of Christ” and to participate fully in our part of His Church. This system is intended to enable church people at every level to be in touch with the Church as a whole and to play their part in decision making. Also, the system is intended to ensure that the laity have their place in every aspect of church life, including doctrine and services.

The Electoral Roll does NOT have a direct bearing on the way the Parish Share is assessed.

Do I qualify for the Roll?

To apply for the Electoral Roll you must meet ALL the following conditions:

• You must be aged 16 or over (though you can apply in the year you become 16 and your name will be entered once your birth date has passed).
• You must be baptised.
• You must be a member of the Church of England and EITHER live in the parish OR have attended a church in the parish regularly for at least 6 months.

If you are a parish resident you do not have to actually attend the Church of which you consider yourself a member but if you live outside the parish, you must normally attend St Andrew’s Church regularly for 6 months. If you know your postcode you can find out if you are resident in the parish by using this online tool. If you would like to discuss this further or you are not a resident and are thinking of getting married or holding a baptism in St Andrew’s Church please contact Father Aran Beesley.

NOTE: you can be on the Electoral Roll of more than one Church, but you can only serve on the PCC of one Church at a time.

Why join the Electoral Roll?

Joining the electoral roll is an important way of confirming your commitment to St Andrew’s Church community and to the vision of the church. It also opens up the way for greater involvement in the life of the Church of England, at Deanery, Diocesan and national levels. By joining, you become entitled to participate in the government of the church and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting, where the elections take place for:

• the parochial church council
• the parish’s representatives on the deanery synod.

Any person entitled to attend the APCM may raise any question of parochial or general church interest.

Joining the roll is an important statement of witness and a step along the path of discipleship. With your name on the electoral roll, the strength of the Church can be seen in our local area, and across the Diocese. If you attend church you are very welcome to be on the electoral roll!

How do I join?

Application forms can be downloaded here. Fill in your full name and address and tick the appropriate boxes (see the explanation above, or ask a PCC member).  It would assist us greatly if you would also complete the optional ‘Contact Details’ section for our records, particularly email addresses.  Please note that only names and postcodes will appear on the published Roll.  Please return your completed form to Fr Aran or Colin.

I can’t remember if I have joined already?

A printout of the current Roll is available on the Porch Noticeboard at the main entrance to the Church. 

My details have changed recently

If you are a member of St Andrew’s Church and your contact details have recently changed, it would be helpful if you could notify Colin so that they can amend in our database. 

Data Privacy Notice

Please click here for a Data Privacy Notice, issued in line with our GDPR regulations, which explains how we handle your data, and your rights under the Regulations.