Constance Hartung: First superintendent elected for Weimar-Apolda!

Constance Hartung: First superintendent elected for Weimar-Apolda!

There is a change at the top in the Weimar-Apolda church district: The 54-year-old pastor Dr. Constance Hartung was elected as the new church district's first superintendent. This decision was made in a joint meeting of the Weimar and Apolda-Buttstädt district synods EKMD reported. Hartung will succeed Henrich Herbst, who will retire on December 1, 2025. The new church district will be formed in January 2026 from the previous church districts of Weimar and Apolda-Buttstädt.

The election was previously prepared by a nomination committee that included members of both church districts as well as representatives of the regional church office. Hartung and another candidate, Christoph Ernst, introduced themselves in several services before the electoral synod. Hartung's first introduction service took place on September 20th, 2025 in the St. Michaelis Church in Buttstädt, followed by Christoph Ernst on September 27th in the Herderkirche in Weimar, like Weimar church district notes.

Insight into Constance Hartung's career

Constance Hartung was born in Eisenach in 1970 and grew up in Gerstungen. She completed her theological studies in Marburg, Jena and Heidelberg, where she also completed a vicariate. She took up her first job in Altengönna. From 2010 to 2013 she was the personal advisor to the then Central German regional bishop Ilse Junkermann.

In recent years, Hartung has devoted himself to university work. She currently held a teaching position at the Theological Faculty of the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and was responsible for student and university work in Jena. The superintendent position in Apolda that Hartung will now fill is currently vacant, indicating impending restructuring.

The new church district – a look into the future

With the election of Hartung, a fresh leader is emerging in the new Weimar-Apolda church district who will bring agility and commitment to the interface between the various communities. The upcoming merger of the two church districts promises an exciting time in which new impulses can be set and existing communities can be strengthened.

The Weimar and Apolda-Buttstädt church districts already have a long tradition and history, which will now develop further in a new form. It is important to monitor this development carefully and actively shape it. In this context, the website of the Apolda-Buttstädt church district useful information about the current structures and contact persons.

In the future, the congregations under Hartung's leadership can expect new challenges and opportunities that will focus on both spiritual and community concerns. The next few months promise to be exciting!