church community / parish
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church community
The community of believers who belong to a particular church or parish in a specific place.
Die Kirchengemeinde organisiert jedes Jahr ein großes Sommerfest für alle.
The church community organizes a big summer festival for everyone every year.
The word is made up of 'Kirche' (church) and 'Gemeinde' (community/congregation), connected by an 'n'. So it literally describes a community that belongs to a church.
Unsere Kirchengemeinde hat viele junge Familien als Mitglieder.
Our church community has many young families as members.
The context makes clear whether the community of people or the administration is meant. If it is about festivals, meetings, or members, it refers to the people. If it is about elections, finances, or the parish office, it refers to the institution.
Die Kirchengemeinde trifft sich jeden Sonntag nach dem Gottesdienst.
The church community meets every Sunday after the service.
When referring to the community of people, the word is often used with verbs of involvement. Typical phrases are 'sich in der Kirchengemeinde engagieren' (to be involved in the church community), 'einer Kirchengemeinde angehören' (to belong to a church community), or 'in der Kirchengemeinde aktiv sein' (to be active in the church community).
Seit ihrer Pensionierung engagiert sie sich ehrenamtlich in der Kirchengemeinde.
Since her retirement, she has been volunteering in the church community.
church
'die Kirche' and 'die Kirchengemeinde' can both refer to people and organization in a Christian context. But 'Kirche' is much broader: it can mean the whole institution, for example the Catholic or Protestant Church. 'Kirchengemeinde' means a specific local community in one place, that is, the people and the organization of a parish or congregation. Learners may confuse the words because both can mean more than just a building. When talking about the large institution, 'Kirche' fits; when talking about the local group, 'Kirchengemeinde' is more precise.
Die Kirchengemeinde organisiert morgen ein gemeinsames Frühstück.
The church community is organizing a shared breakfast tomorrow.
Die Kirche äußert sich in der Zeitung zu sozialen Fragen.
The Church comments on social issues in the newspaper.