'Meeting People'

The Church of England, for all its ancient traditions and ceremonies, is basically a democratic institution. The laity decide what sort of an incumbent they want, interview candidates and have the power to invite or reject them. And although when appointed, vicars rightly 'call the tune' in many areas, notably of course worship, they have to work with the churchwardens of the parish, who are the Bishop's officers, and also with and through the PCC - the Parochial Church Council.

This body contains some members who are not elected (other clergy in the parish, churchwardens and readers for example, who are 'ex officio' members because of  the office they hold), but the majority are voted for annually by the registered members of the congregation, and, although they are representatives rather than delegates, they are there to speak for the people, and have the power to make policy and decisions in many areas.

Every parish has to hold an annual meeting at which those who represent it are elected. There are technically two meetings. At the first, or Vestry Meeting, which exists solely for this purpose, two churchwardens are elected to serve for the following year. They may be re-elected, but by Church regulations for no more than six succesive years. This meeting is open to everyone living in the parish, while at the Parochial Church Meeting which invariably follows it, only those on the Electoral Roll (enrolled regular worshippers and others, worshippers or not, living in the parish and wishing to be on the roll) may vote. This meeting elects PCC members (for a three-year stint, after which they cannot stand for re-election util a year has passed) and others, approves the church accounts and may hear reports and debate matters. It represents an annual opportunity for those who choose to exercise their democratic rights, question or challenge those who represent them and speak about anything that concerns them.

APCMs at our church are usually held soon after Easter:  in recent years on or near St George's Day, following an evening church service and with the provision of a glass of wine to relax and invigorate those who turn up to shape the church's activity for the year ahead.

Follow the links below to read highlights from recent APCMs, including the Vicar's traditional address to the meetings, and the brief written reports presented to those attending and which give a snapshot of the life of our church in the years concerned.