The Presbyterian Church Welcomes New Pastor
Submitted by Carlene Pruitt
The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) has elected The Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark Clémot as its new Senior Pastor. She will begin serving the 750-member church on November 15, 2020.
Dr. Clémot, who goes by “Pastor Ellen” in the church family, is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a second career pastor. Previously she spent over 20 years practicing international business and finance law in New York City, London, and Paris. Dr. Clémot comes to PCCT from her prior leadership of the Larchmont Avenue Church in Larchmont, New York. She and her husband, André, will be moving into the community this fall and expect to receive regular visits from their two young adult daughters who work and reside in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Dr. Clémot received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Duke Divinity School in May of this year and her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2012. She has won awards for her writing on Christian ethics, and on Black church leadership during the civil rights movement, and she plans to publish a recently completed book on refugee welcome.
“What most strongly captured my sense of call to PCCT is the feeling of being a committed church family together,” Pastor Clémot said. “I look forward to becoming an integral part of the local community to help meet residents’ needs, provide educational opportunities on social justice issues, and continue to open our church campus to make PCCT a wholesome, healthy place for families and people of all ages to make friends, worship God, and play an active role in community outreach.”
The 11-member Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) began their work in February of this year and reviewed more than 100 candidates’ resumes. As they came to know Dr. Clémot over the summer, they were drawn to her inspiring and relevant sermons, her joyful warm spirit, her strong interpersonal skills, and her humble leadership of a church similar to PCCT in size and demographic. Andy Oosterheert, co-moderator of the PNC, said, “We are grateful that God has called Pastor Clémot to serve at PCCT. Her wisdom, leadership, spirituality, and intellectual rigor make her a wonderful fit for our church.”
The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township is a vibrant, multi-generational congregation that celebrates the glory of God through faith, fellowship and service. Drawing members from three counties and more than 20 communities, it welcomes all, whether you are a young family, a single adult, or a couple with grown children. The congregation reflects diverse perspectives, provides rich music and education programs for all ages, and through social outreach addresses hunger, homelessness and recovery from disasters or other crises. During this time, activities are being held virtually, and Sunday worship services are live-streamed at 10:00 a.m. from the sanctuary and available for viewing on YouTube and later on PCCT’s website.
