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Out of the question

by
18 October 2013

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Your answers

Is it necessary for those appointed to serve as churchwardens or on the PCC to be confirmed members of the Church of England?

Under the Church Representation Rules and the Churchwardens Measure 2011, besides being baptised and on the church electoral roll, a person nominated for either churchwarden or PCC member has to be "an actual communicant".

This is defined in Rule 54 as a person who has received communion according to the use of the Church of England (or a Church in communion with it) at least three times during the year prior to election, and is also either (a) confirmed or ready and desirous of being confirmed, or (b) receiving the holy communion in accordance with Canon B15A.

The Measure provides that in exceptional circumstances the Bishop can override the requirements relating to a churchwarden's being an actual communicant and/or electoral-roll member.

Thus it is not strictly the case that all nominees have to have been confirmed, but this is indeed normally the case.

Harry Marsh (Lay canon)

Chelmsford, Essex

 

Your questions

Two questions about traditional High Church ceremonial during 1662 Prayer Book evensong:

1. Makingthe sign of the Cross over one's lips with the right thumb at the opening versicle "O Lord, open thou our lips" makes devotional sense as a ceremonial preparation of the lips as they begin to utter praise. But what is the point of then immediately making a "normal"sign of the Cross at the next versicle "O God, make speed to save us?"

2. People often make a "normal" sign of the cross at the opening words of the Magnificat (and of the Benedictus at matins). Some people also cross themselves at the start of the Nunc Dimittis. What is the point of saluting the Gospel canticles in that way?

T. R. F

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