Yesterday, I drove down to Fresno to attend the Called & Consecrated, a discernment conference hosted by the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin. The speakers led an important conversation on the nature of Christian vocation—how God calls His people into holiness, service, and particular states of life within the Church like the priesthood, diaconate, and monastic life.
I’m grateful for the hospitality of the diocese and especially for the thoughtful work of Fr. Brandon LeTourneau of St. Mark’s Loomis.
The St. Andrew’s College Choir, led by Fr. Brian Foos,sung Matins and Evensong, enriching the conference with their choral prayers. I was also grateful for Bishop Eric Menees’ warm hospitality and for his heartfelt sharing about his own vocation during a panel session.
Below is a brief reflection on the talks, along with links to their work for those who want to explore further.
Fr. Brandon LeTourneau — Why Vocation?
Fr. Brandon opened the conference by grounding vocation in our baptismal identity and the Church’s common call to holiness. His clarity on vocation as participation in the life of Christ set the tone for the whole event.
🔗 Website / Profile: https://www.stmarksloomis.org/
Fr. Ben Jefferies — Diaconal Vocations
Fr. Ben explored the diaconate as a ministry of service, humility, and liturgical leadership. His emphasis on the deacon as the Church’s “ears and hands” was especially compelling. He currently serves The Good Shepherd Anglican Church in Opelika, Alabama.
🔗 Website North American Anglican
Nathaniel Marshall — Lay Vocations & Discernment
Nathaniel’s sessions on lay vocation and the slow work of discernment were deeply practical. He reminded us that the Church’s mission depends on the faithful witness of ordinary Christians living out their callings in home, parish, and workplace.
Nathaniel is a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Reformed Episcopal Church and seminarian at Cranmer Theological House. A plumber by trade, he now serves as technical instructor for new plumbing apprentices.
🔗 Substack / Articles: https://thebluescholar.substack.com/
Mother Miriam, C.S.M. — Religious Vocation
Mother Miriam gave a moving presentation on the consecrated life, highlighting the joy of belonging wholly to Christ. Her witness to the religious vocation brought a beautiful sense of depth and tradition to the conference.
Mother Miriam represents the Community of St. Mary, Eastern Province, an Anglican religious order for women with houses in upstate New York and Malawi, Africa.
🔗 Community of St. Mary / Bio: https://www.stmaryseast.net/
Fr. Timothy Matkin — Priestly Vocation
Fr. Matkin offered a thoughtful and pastoral reflection on the priesthood, emphasizing the call to be a shepherd after the Shepherd’s own heart. His teaching was both realistic and encouraging for those discerning Holy Orders. He also handed out fun cards with a photo of him playing priest as kid. Fr. Markin is Rector (parish priest) at S. Francis Anglican Church in Dallas (ACNA) and creator of bespoke ecclesiastical vesture.
🔗 Website / Sermons: https://www.stfrancisdallas.org/
Fr. Greg Peters — Singleness as Vocation & Discerning Vocations
Fr. Peters spoke with uncommon clarity about singleness as a genuine Christian vocation—rooted in Scripture and tradition—and also guided the group through practical discernment principles. And especially in the Book of Common Prayer.
The Rev. Dr. Greg Peters serves as Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology at Biola University and as Research Professor of Monastic Studies and Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House. An Anglican priest, he writes and teaches widely on the renewal of monastic and ascetical traditions in the modern Church.
🔗 Books / Faculty Page: https://www.biola.edu/directory/people/greg-peters
A Grateful Experience
The conference was a helpful reminder that vocation is not reserved for a few but is the gift of God to all Christians. Whether in the lay state, marriage, religious life, or ordained ministry, each of us is invited to discover and faithfully live the calling Christ has placed upon our lives.
My thanks to the Diocese of San Joaquin, the speakers, and the many participants who made the event such a rich experience.
I look forward to seeing how this conference continues to serve the Church in the years to come.
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