FPC member Tamara Slaughter spoke with Ellen for this feature.
Rev. Ellen Crawford True
Oddly, entering the ministry never occurred to her even through college. Ellen Crawford True, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Concord, recalls growing up a “church kid” (active in youth group, church sports, choir), and even notes an archbishop way back in the family lineage. However, she stresses that “there was no burning bush or bolt of lightning” that catapulted her to seminary; her journey to becoming a pastor was a gradual one.
During her English studies at Davidson College, a friend put her on the Union Seminary mailing list. The brochure they sent listed classes that sounded interesting, but she didn’t act. After graduation, her Mom’s cancer returned, and Ellen was angry, so angry with God. A backpacking trip in Europe calmed her a bit, but while her friends were prayerfully lighting candles in historic cathedrals they visited, she reviewed the architecture. With no romantic attachment or suitable job offers, she decided to stay home for a year and help while her Mom was ill. During this time, she attended the ordination of that friend. As she heard him preach, she realized the job of minister might be a fit for her. She asked him after his sermon if maybe she was being called? He said he’d known eight years ago she would hear the call!
In a talk with her pastor, he encouraged her to start the first phase of the ordination process, enrollment as an “Inquirer”. This is a time for wondering, questioning, introspection. She enrolled at Union Seminary the following summer and declares she has “loved it and am grateful to have landed in this call.” Since that time, she has served as an associate pastor for campus ministry, a supply pastor, an interim pastor, a parish associate, a moderator, head of staff, and now, senior pastor. She not only heard the call, she ran with it!
Her personal life also blossomed to include marriage and motherhood. Husband David is enjoying time as an adjunct professor at Pfeiffer College and as an interim pastor after nearly two decades as a professor of religious studies at Wilson College. Their daughter, Abigail, is a senior at Davidson College. Ellen describes Davidson basketball as “one of the happy things about moving back” to this area. With her husband a Kentucky fan and her daughter Abigail inexplicably a Carolina fan (“she was born that way, not sure why …” muses Ellen), basketball season is “high holy season” at her house.
Another consistent pastime is reading. Ellen studied English as an undergraduate. Her Davidson classmate and longtime FPC member Andrew Spainhour notes that her sermons are influenced by her love of reading. “She has a prophetic voice from the pulpit and is a joy to listen to,” he notes, adding “she is a remarkable woman.” Andrew recounts that the call to her current position at the church where he grew up and his mother is still active came during the week of his father’s passing in 2020. Because of COVID restrictions, the memorial service was delayed about a year. Andrew recalls that she led the Spainhour family through that difficult time and officiated at the service “with grace and beauty.”
In discussing favorite scripture, Ellen quickly turns to the story of Ruth and Naomi, the inspiration for our retreat theme. In short, Ruth, a Moabite, marries Judean Naomi’s son, then both women are widowed. Free to leave to return to her people in Moab, Ruth remains with Naomi. Ruth declares in the often-quoted scripture “Where you go, I will go” (Ruth 1:16-17). Ellen stresses the depth and importance of their relationship, the holy bond they forge that carries them through. She points out that, significantly, God is not mentioned in the Book of Ruth. He doesn’t appear to these women as he appeared to Samuel, so the women don’t get specific direction from God. And that’s as it is for most people; we don’t get grand visions but we all make bonds, faithful covenants with each other, that help us navigate.
Ellen’s life has been particularly blessed with strong, formative relationships with other women throughout her life. For example, her mother and Andrew’s mother were lifelong friends from the time they were sorority sisters; a third sorority sister, Bertie, made sure Ellen and Andrew met at Davidson, forging the second generation of friendships. “These faithful, funny, loyal, and courageous women helped raise me,” remembers Ellen, “and I’ve learned a lot from their wisdom.” She continues, “As I grow older, I realize even more how the different generations sustain each other, and how each are different and important; I see the pattern my Mom modeled of embracing womanly friendships and how crucial that was.” She sees the FPC Women’s Retreat as just the type of gathering that forms and strengthens these vital connections.
