wfn.org | UMNS# 05103-German United Methodists elect new bishop

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German United Methodists elect new bishop

Feb. 17, 2005	 News media contact:   Linda  Bloom * (646) 3693759*  New
York {05103}

By United Methodist News Service

United Methodists in Germany elected a new bishop-the denomination's
first woman named to that office in Europe-on Feb. 16.

The Rev. Rosemarie Wenner received the needed two-thirds majority vote
of the 100 delegates of the Germany Central Conference on the fourth
ballot.

A native of Eppingen in southern Germany, the 49-year-old had served as
superintendent of the church's Frankfurt District since 1996. She
studied at the United Methodist Theological Seminary in Reutlingen and
has held pastorates in Karlsruhe, Hockenheim and Darmstadt.

Wenner, who takes office April 1, succeeds Bishop Walter Klaiber. He is
retiring after almost 16 years in office.

The central conference meets every four years and is the highest
decision-making body of the United Methodist Church in Germany. It is
divided into three annual (regional) conferences, representing about
65,000 people.

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News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
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