The Rev. Emily Austin introduces Jaime and his wife Keiko. Together they tell us about St Mark's Cathedral's efforts to provide sanctuary for Jaime and his family and share resources for those interested in getting involved in the sanctuary movement. 's
Jaime is a business owner registered with the Washington Secretary of State. He had been an independent contractor as well as a dance instructor. He has volunteered for different organizations and contributed to his community. Married to an American citizen and father of a six-year-old son who also is an American citizen has not kept him from risk of deportation.
Emily's calling to the diaconate stemmed in part through her involvement in a foot-washing and foot-care program, serving those experiencing homelessness in Seattle. She was assigned to St. Mark's Cathedral for diaconate field placement in 2017, the same time the Cathedral was exploring ways to support the sanctuary efforts of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. Emily worked on the sanctuary steering committee, and the Cathedral was eventually designated a sanctuary "Hub." Emily was ordained in 2018, and has since been serving as a vocational deacon at St. Mark's. Jaime's family has been living in sanctuary there for nearly two years now. The Cathedral community remains committed to being a place of refuge for those facing family separation, and a safe space where the community might prepare and grow the sanctuary of our hearts.
Rev. Emily Austin grew up involved in the Diocese of Olympia, in the greater Seattle area. She met her husband of 27 years working as a summer camp counselor at Camp Huston, Episcopal Camp and Conference Center, where they were involved in the North Cascades youth backpacking program. They have one son, 21, who has continued the outdoor tradition and can often be found in the summers snowboarding the upper glaciers of Mt. Hood, OR. Emily works full-time as a Employee Benefits Team Lead at an employer services and risk management firm.
