This year, we have three seminarians serving in a variety of capacities at St. James’: Peter Meyr, Liam Barr, and Teri Calinao. Peter will be with us for the next two years. In this first year, his focus will be on getting to know the St. James’ Church community, formation for evangelism, and pastoral care. He will split time with the 10:30 am and 5 pm. Liam is in his second year with us, and his focus is with the Spanish-speaking community and multilingual community-building. Teri is in her second year with us, and you will primarily see her at the 10:30 am.

Peter Mading Meyr

Hello, my name is Peter Mading Meyr. I was born in Sudan and baptized in the Diocese of Wau,
part of the Anglican Communion in the Province of Sudan. When Southern Sudan gained
independence from Sudan in 2011, I became part of the Province of the Episcopal Church of
South Sudan. Due to the Civil War in Sudan, I moved to Egypt in January 2001, where I lived for
six years before marrying my wife, Mary Ayiat. We emigrated to the United States in 2006, and
our daughter Gloria was born in 2009. I have an AS degree in Information Technology from
Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead and a Diploma in Theological
Studies from the Episcopal Church of Egypt. I am also certified as a leadership teacher and
trainer.

My formation started in Egypt, where I was ordained as a lay leader at the All Saints Cathedral
of the Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa between 2001 to 2006.
I then served various roles at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Moorhead from 2006 to
2022. As a preacher and worship leader, I served as a lay/leader for the Arabic and Dinka
language groups. I also planned and organized leadership training for the Bible Study groups
and coordinated Sunday school programs for the youth and children. Additionally, I held pastoral
care roles, including visiting the sick in hospitals, visiting people in prisons and jails, attending
courts with the family members of victims, and making congregational visits. Furthermore, I
served two three-year terms on the vestry committee and three years on the Diocesan Council
committee. In August 2022, I moved with my family to Austin, Texas, to attend the Seminary of
the Southwest. I am currently in my second year as a Seminarian, working towards my Master’s
Degree in Divinity. I am also a postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Diocese of North
Dakota.

I am committed to using my skills and experience to serve the community of St. James’ and
others in need in the Austin area.

Liam Barr

Hello Everyone!

For those who do not know me, my name is Liam Barr. I am a candidate for the Holy Orders of the Priesthood and am entering my final year as a student at Seminary of the Southwest. During the past year, it has been an honor serving Proyecto Santiago, the Spanish-speaking 1:00 pm service, and I am so excited for another year of being a part of the St. James’ ecosystem!

I am originally from the Southeast. I grew up in Greenville, South Carolina and spent 5 years in North Carolina where I attended Davidson College and worked with several non-profits in the greater Charlotte area. Unlike many of my classmates, I grew up in the Episcopal Church. I am a proud product of Episcopal youth groups, college ministries, and young adult groups. In addition, I have spent two summers working with the Diocese of Costa Rica as well as one semester abroad in Quito, Ecuador. At seminary, I am in the Latinx Ministry concentration, while this summer, I worked at Casa Marianella as a case worker focused on providing spiritual care to the residents. Being “adopted” into Latin American expressions of Anglicanism, my faith has been strongly formed and influenced by notions of community, justice, and liberation.

Throughout my life, the Episcopal church has felt like home. It has offered true comfort and support along my journey and while continually asking me how all people can work each day to manifest God’s Kingdom of freedom and flourishing on Earth.

Outside of my seminary career, I live with my wife, Langley, and our dog, Avett (named after our favorite band, the Avett Brothers!). Langley is a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and is entering her senior year. She’s hoping to serve as an ordained chaplain in the Presbyterian (PCUSA) tradition.

Teri Calinao

Teri Calinao is a Postulant from the Diocese of Florida. She is currently entering her
senior year at The Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest studying for her Master of
Divinity (M/Div.) and is scheduled to graduate in May of 2024. Her undergraduate work
was completed at Florida State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences with concentrations in Sociology and Emergency
Management.Prior to answering the call to ordination and attending seminary, Teri worked in the
banking and insurance industries as well as the non-profit sector where she served as
the Philanthropic Services Officer managing the day-to-day operations and overseeing
the grantmaking process of the Women’s Giving Alliance. Her service in the parish as a
lay person included Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor Coordinator, Small Group
Study Facilitator, Hospital/Hospice Visitor, Lay Delegate to Annual Convention, Finance
Committee member, Lector, and many other roles.Teri is passionate about sharing the love of Christ with all persons that she encounters
whether it be in the parish setting, the grocery store, a restaurant, or traveling. It is her
joy to experience the face of God in each person and she always attempts to see the
whole of an individual and not just what is presented on the surface. She believes that
God is always meeting people wherever they may be in their journey of life. A favorite
quote is, “Without love, deeds even the most brilliant, count as nothing” – Therese de
Lisieux.

Teri is married to her husband George and they have a daughter, Savannah, son-in-law,
Matthew, and a grand dog named Esther, who reside in Rhode Island. Her interests outside of service in the parish and studies in seminary include going to the movie theater, photographing historic churches/steeples, and travel to her favorite places, Alaska and the Canadian province of Quebec. She and George enjoy visiting various parishes and meeting parishioners during their travels.

Teri is thankful to be starting her second year as a Seminarian at St. James’.

Meet our Seminarians for 2023-2024