Though like many of you, I was baptized in a Presbyterian church, I actually can remember my own baptism.  You see, though I was born to Presbyterian parents, they were attending an independent church in Southern California which did not baptize infants.  Then we moved to a new town and became part of a Friends church.  The Friends (Quakers) do not baptize at all, so though I was active in church all my life, confessed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as a child and teen, served in leadership of my church’s High School, College and Singles groups.  It wasn’t until 1996, at White River Presbyterian Church in Auburn that I was initiated by water into the faith that had been a part of me all my life.  And moments later that same water was placed on our six-month-old daughter Madeleine.  It was a memorable baptism indeed!

At White River I served on session for six years, as Clerk of Session for three years and was active in adult education and choir.  For presbytery I have served on COM and as a commissioner to the 217th General Assembly in 2006.  My wife Jill is a candidate for the ministry of the Word and Sacrament under care of our presbytery, and is a student at the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University.  Madeleine who is now eleven and William who is seven both attend Auburn schools.  We are now members of St. Andrew church in Renton.  By day I work as a systems analyst for Lynden Inc.: a family of transportation companies headquartered in Seatac.

One of the wonderful things about Presbyterianism is the principle that elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament serve equally in leadership and the governing bodies of the church.  It is that aspect of our polity that explains how a systems analyst writes to you as the moderator of Seattle Presbytery.  It also reminds me that our presbytery is often in need of elders to serve on our standing committees.  We are currently in need for at least two elders on the Nominating Committee and one male elder on Council.  Please take a minute to think of elders in your congregations that could serve in this important way.  You might even talk to them of their baptism and how it calls us as children of God to serve.

I would like to thank Randy Butler for serving so effectively as moderator this past year.  In fact he did it so well, you all asked him to moderate the Council again this year as Past Moderator.  My family, health, and job thank you for your wisdom in changing our standing rules in that manner so that the moderatorial year is not quite so heavy with responsibility.

Now for the charge: Remember your baptism and I’ll see you “in presbytery” this Tuesday!

Grace and Peace,
Elder Pete Jones, Moderator