church district
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church district
An administrative district within a Protestant regional church that includes several parishes and is usually led by a superintendent.
Die Synode des Kirchenkreises tagt zweimal im Jahr, um über Finanzen und Personal zu beraten.
The synod of the church district meets twice a year to discuss finances and personnel.
The word is made up of 'Kirche' (church) and 'Kreis' (district/circle), connected by the linking element '-n-'. It literally describes a 'district' or administrative area of parishes.
Unsere Gemeinde gehört zum Kirchenkreis Hamburg-Ost.
Our parish belongs to the Hamburg-East church district.
This term is specific to the administrative structure of the Protestant church in Germany. In the Catholic Church, the term 'Dekanat' (deanery) is used instead.
Der Superintendent leitet die Verwaltung des Kirchenkreises.
The superintendent heads the administration of the church district.
In connection with 'Kirchenkreis' (church district), you often hear about the 'Synode' (the parliament of the church district) or the 'Superintendent' (the leader). Typical verbs are 'zu einem Kirchenkreis gehören' (to belong to a church district) or 'einen Kirchenkreis bilden' (to form a church district).
Mehrere Kirchengemeinden bilden zusammen einen Kirchenkreis.
Several parishes together form a church district.
church community / parish
'die Kirchengemeinde' and 'der Kirchenkreis' both belong to Protestant church organization, but they do not refer to the same size of unit. A 'Kirchengemeinde' is the congregation in a particular place or area. The believers belong together there, and that is often where congregational life takes place. A 'Kirchenkreis' is larger and includes several Kirchengemeinden. Learners may confuse the words because both sound like church administration. Memory aid: a Kirchengemeinde is a single local unit; a Kirchenkreis is a district with several congregations.
Vor dem Wochenende bespricht der Kirchenkreis die Planung für mehrere Gemeinden.
Before the weekend, the church district discusses the planning for several congregations.
Am Sonntag lädt die Kirchengemeinde die Nachbarn zu einem Konzert ein.
On Sunday, the church community invites the neighbors to a concert.