Karin Bayer new pastor in downtown Neunkirchen: Full of enthusiasm in her dream job

PRESS RELEASE Public Relations Office Ev. Kirchenkreis An der Saar Karin Bayer new Pastor in Neunkirchen Rieke Eulenstein City Center: Induction on July 5 Goethestraße 29+31 Full of drive in her heartfelt profession 66538 Neunkirchen(Saar) Tel.: 0681-53081 Neunkirchen. Not everyone finds in their youth what their heart beats for. Later, many can or want no longer realize it. However, Karin Bayer followed the call of her heart to the pastorate. In May, the native Rhinelander from Stolberg near Aachen began her service as the new pastor of the Neunkirchen Christ Church. In the Saarland, she now primarily wants to be one thing – very close to the people. June 23, 2026 Late calling to the pastorate For Karin Bayer, the pastorate is a calling – although one that came late for her. She first came into contact with the church through her children and the children's service, feeling immediately at home. She increasingly realized that her job could not give her this joy and fulfillment. Within her grew the determination to follow her feelings to pass on something that deeply moved her herself. She earned her high school diploma at night school and then, at age 45, began studying theology in Bonn, later in Wuppertal. It was not easy, she recalls, but "I persevered," not least thanks to a good relationship with her much younger fellow students. All the more, she feels privileged to now be allowed to do exactly what her heart is attached to. After her vicariate in St. Augustin, Menden, and Meindorf, she completed her probation as a float in several congregations. Her first own pastoral post was in Wassenberg near Heinsberg before working in Betzdorf near Altenkirchen. Back to her roots – to the industrial city of Neunkirchen The job advertisement of the church community Evangelisch Mittendrin for the pastoral position in Neunkirchen’s city center immediately caught her eye. “I grew up in an industrial city, my parents are craftsmen, so I thought: This fits!”, she explains. Her husband was also enthusiastic about the beautiful region with its many opportunities. So applying was a decided matter. She quickly agreed with the Saarland congregation, not least because the pastorate of Christ Church had been vacant for a year and recently the parish deacon had reduced his service to half-time. In May, Karin Bayer took up her new office and immediately felt warmly welcomed among many interested, open people. As a "Rhenish cheerful nature," it was easy for her to settle in. “The mentality is wonderful and so much is planned here,” she raves. Heartfelt project: Rebuilding work with children She herself is already full of drive in planning. She is particularly passionate about rebuilding work with children in Neunkirchen’s city center, which had somewhat slumbered during the vacancy. She is now regularly a guest in daycare centers downtown. Accompanying her: her animal companion, the donkey hand puppet Caruso, "who always asks lots of questions" and whom the children love. She aims to offer programs for children of various age groups, for the little ones as well as for kids in the upper elementary grades up to just before confirmation time. She already has many ideas but thinks it is important to involve local families so that offerings and target groups match. "Get in touch, tell me what you wish for, join in!" is her warm invitation to all interested. She would also be happy about support with individual projects on a limited time basis. And, of course, about meeting many people through the work. Despite all other duties and responsibilities that a pastorate entails, Karin Bayer emphasizes: “People should know that there is again a contact person for Christ Church.” Because she wants to be approachable, accompanying people through all their life’s highs and lows. Info The official induction of Karin Bayer into her pastorate will take place on Sunday, July 5, at 2 p.m. in Christ Church Neunkirchen (Saar), Am Unteren Markt. After the service, the Evangelisch Mittendrin congregation invites everyone to a reception. Karin Bayer is looking forward to volunteers with and without children who want to create and build offers for families and the youngest together with her. Anyone interested or wanting more information can contact: Tel. 06821-8530 or email karin_andrea.bayer@ekir.de.