also to Tanzania, China and Papua-Neuguinea. Diaconia There are three Diakonische Werke (Protestant relief, development and social service organisations) in each federal state: Diakonisches Werk Schleswig-Holstein (HQ in Rendsburg). Total number of staff: 28,000. Diakonisches Werk Hamburg (HQ in Hamburg). Total number of staff: 18,000. Diakonisches Werk Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (HQ in Schwerin). Total number of staff: 11,000. All three Diakonische Werke are member of Diakonie Deutschland, which is the umbrella organisation of all federal Diakonische Werke. Each federal Diakonisches Werk is led by a Landespastor (State Pastor). Practices and life of the church Ordination of women and blessing of same-sex marriages were allowed. Maria Jepsen was the first woman worldwide who became female bishop. She served as bishop of the former diocese (Sprengel) of Hamburg from 1992-2010. Academics Universities Nordkirche doesn't run any university, but there are four state faculties of theology in the area of Nordkirche: Kiel, in the State of Schleswig-Holstein Hamburg, in the City and State of Hamburg Rostock, in the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Greifswald, in the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern The relations between universities, faculties, federal states and Nordkirche are written down in Contracts between States and Church. Students of theology finish their studies with 1. Kirchliches Examen. Predigerseminar Predigerseminar (literally: preachers' seminary) is based in the old Ratzeburg Cathedral and Monastery. Vicars (a vicar is a pastor in training) are educated there between university studies and ordination. A vicar (German: Vikar) is a candidate for ordained pastoral ministry, serving in a Vikariat (internship) Vikariat dures 2.5 years. Vicars are trained in three places: Predigerseminar in Ratzeburg, parish and school. Vikariat is the practical part of education after theoretical studies at university. Vicars finish their education with 2. Kirchliches Examen. References External links North Northern Germany North Northern Germany Northern Germany