You join by coming along and getting involved. Sunday worship is our central point of coming together and many "belong" by joining one of our midweek Cell Groups. In terms of "becoming a member" of the church, you may find the following helpful:
If you live in the parish you are eligible to be on the Electoral Roll and can then vote at the Annual General Meeting to elect the Church Council. If you live outside the parish you have to attend the church regularly for 6 months in order to go on the Electoral Roll. You need to fill in a 'Electoral Roll Form' to be on the roll. This is the nearest thing we have to a 'members list'. Please ask a member of staff for a form.
This is a service where adults say for themselves the promises which were made on their behalf in infant baptism by parents and god parents - in doing this they 'confirm' those promises. The Bishop comes to take the service and lays hands on those to be confirmed and prays for them. This happens roughly once a year and if you wish to be confirmed have a word with one of the clergy. All adults who have not been baptised as children will have to be baptised before being confirmed, either at the font or by total immersion. Anyone wishing to be confirmed must have gone through the Alpha Course as the preparation course.
The church has two Church Wardens who are responsible for the church buildings and keeping order in church along with a host of other things. The Church Wardens are elected for a three-year term of office. Each congregation as a Deputy Warden who assists with Warden's duties for that congregation,
In each of our services there is a team of assistants. They help keep and eye on who is missing from services through illness etc. and help in visiting and caring. They also keep an eye on those new to church and welcome them into the church family. Prayer Ministry Coordinators make sure that those who request prayer at the end of the services are seen to by the Prayer Ministry Team.
The church is not supported financially by the State, the Government or Local Authority. There is some help from central church finances (the Church Commissioners) but this is dwindling with the need for pensions. We depend on what is given week by week in the collection by those who attend the church. This pays for lighting, heating, repairs, staff salary etc.. We therefore ask regular members to think realistically about how much they give towards God's work. Most members use weekly envelopes to help them to be regular in their giving. If you pay tax we can claim back 22% from the Tax Man if you 'Gift Aid' your giving at no extra cost to you.
We also have "St. Thomas' Pastoral Trust Fund" which is a registered charity. From this we pay the salaries of our additional members of staff.
As a church we give away 10% of all we receive to Missionary Societies abroad and in this country.