Register of Vestry persons
Opens 20th January 2026
Each year our Register is open for a period of several weeks in advance of our parish Annual General Vestry meeting.
The Register opens, on 20th January and will remain open for the month of 20 February 2026.
Every member of the Church of Ireland who is at least 18 years old and lives in the parish, or who attends
the parish church, is entitled to be registered as a member of that parish.
Please note that a member must also make a contribution to church funds in a recognisable way, for example by freewill offering envelope, standing order or direct debit.
The registered members of the parish, along with the officiating member(s) of the clergy, constitute the general vestry.
In order to vote in parish elections, a parishioner must be a member of the general vestry.
In order to become a registered member of the general vestry, the Constitution of the Church of Ireland requires that the individual must sign a form of declaration. This only needs done once.
These forms are available from one of the Church Wardens or the Rector.
A review meeting will be held in the vestry on Tuesday 24th February at 7pm, for further details speak to the rector.
General Easter Vestry
What is the General Vestry?
General Vestry is a body that meets (usually annually) to agree the financial statements of the church and other reports. This is a key part of the governance of a parish. Members of the General Vestry are eligible to stand for election to Select Vestry, propose or second another member to be considered and to vote for the membership of the Select Vestry at the Easter Vestry which is effectively the church’s AGM. The register for General Vestry is only open for one month a year (usually some time January and February). We advertise that it is open on our website, around the buildings, in our emails and from the front of church so that you can’t miss it.
What is the Select Vestry?
The Select Vestry is the body that is responsible for the governance of the parish. They are automatically registered as the trustees of the “charity” with the Charity Commission NI.
The range of responsibilities of the Select Vestry include: – being responsible for maintaining church property (church, halls, rectory, grounds) also known as the “glebe” – Ensuring good governance in the areas of finance, GDPR, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Human Resources and other policies and procedures relating to the ongoing work of the church. – Appointing a treasurer and secretary of the vestry to be responsible for those areas of governance.
The Select Vestry is made up of: – 2 Church Wardens (one appointed by the Rector, one elected by the General Vestry) – 2 Glebe Wardens (one appointed by the Rector, one elected by the General Vestry) – Up to 12 members who are elected annually by the General Vestry
This years General Easter vestry will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 24th March in the Church Hall.
A number of Safeguarding Training sessions have been organised for the early part of 2026.
Safeguarding Training for staff/volunteers:
• St Peter’s, Antrim Rd, Belfast – January 27 at 7.30pm with the Rev Brian Lacey
• St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis, Belfast – February 23 at 2026, 7pm with the Rev Canon Kevin Graham
• Christ Church, Lisburn – April 16 at 7pm with the Rev Canon James Boyd
Adult Safeguarding Training with Dr Niall Moore, Safeguarding Officer:
• Christ Church, Lisburn – February 9 at 2pm
• St Patrick’s, Ballymoney – March 3 at 7pm
To register your attendance please email Connor Safeguarding Compliance Officer David McGrory at davidmcgrory@connordiocese.org.
It is the policy of the Church of Ireland to Safeguard both children and adults sharing in its ministry and to protect them from of forms of harm, and abuse. At St Nicholas we have adopted these policies and abide by them. If you have any concerns as to the safety of an adult or a child please report it immediately to the PSNI, Social Services or to the church's safeguarding panel.
Safeguarding
Child Safeguarding Panel Members
Rev Chris St John
Raymond Gilbert
Sharon Maxwell
Adult Safeguarding Panel Members
Rev Chris St John
Raymond Gilbert
Karen Miles
Check out safeguarding page of this Website
Some people have recently asked about Counselling. You may find the following link useful:
https://www.christianguidelines.org
Counselling
Get In Touch
028 9336 0061
office@saintnicholas.org.uk
Address
St Nicholas' Parish Halls
3 Lancasterian Street
Carrickfergus
BT38 7AB
N Ireland