Farewell and new beginning: Superintendent Rühlemann says goodbye!

Farewell and new beginning: Superintendent Rühlemann says goodbye!

On Friday, June 6, 2025, superintendent Jutta Rühlemann is adopted by the church district synod. After more than 21 years in office, her final Ephoral report will be presented at 5 p.m. in the Knight Huder Hamme-Forum. The farewell not only marks the end of your term, but also the beginning of a new chapter for the church district. Her successor will be regulated in a secret election, with the fisherman Pastor Silke Kuhlmann being a applicant in the race. The third meeting of the church district synod for the term 2025 to 2030 is opened in this context with regulations and reports from committees. In addition, an application for vote is submitted to the state synod, which will be re -elected in September and will days in November. A consultation for the administration in the Hanover regional church bears the heading "Memory" and apparently is not for the first time.

The farewell of Rühlemann is not only important in her church circle, but also reflects a larger trend in the Evangelical Church. Similar to the long-time superintendent Katharina Henking, who works in the Hildesheimer Land-Alfeld church district, it becomes clear that many superintendents are faced with the challenge of regulating their successor and dealing with the future of the Church. Henking, who retires in summer, has been in office for over 13 years and has set numerous impulses that have an effect far beyond its own community. Among other things, she made a protective concept for prevention sexual violence and initiated the establishment of jumping pastors.

The challenges of the superintendent

Katharina Henking experienced a change in the Evangelical Church, shaped by a decline in applications. She campaigned for equivalent cooperation between the superintendents and cultivated an open style in which she addressed problems directly. For example, she reacted publicly to the forum study, which she shaped. Henking was not only the deputy of the state superintendent and the regional bishop, but also significantly involved in building the daycare center, which today comprises 26 institutions.

The farewell of Jutta Rühlemann and the upcoming retirement by Katharina Henking show the dynamics and challenges that the church circles are looking for. In 2024, new superintenders such as Dr. Silke Radosh-Hinder for the Church Circle of Berlin-Stadtmitte, Almut Bellmann for the Kirchenkreis Berlin Nord-Ost and others in their offices. These developments are crucial for the future of the Evangelical Church, since superintendians not only represent their church circles, but also have a direct impact on cooperation with parishes and the support of full-time and volunteers.

The upcoming changes that are on those associations challenge those involved to set their priorities and to develop sustainable strategies. This is the only way to secure its place in society and in the hearts of people.