The Rev. Canon Jerry Shigaki was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He graduated with a BA in personnel management and business administration from the University of Washington in 1968. He received his Master of Social Work with an emphasis in human services from the University of Washington in 1975.

Throughout his career in social work, he focused both professionally and personally on service to others. This included: working as a caseworker within DSHS, serving in the University of Washington’s Equal Opportunity Program that assisted minority applicants in gaining admission to the University, working with the Southeast Asian refugee resettlement program to assist mostly Vietnamese families in their new lives in Seattle, and working with the Center for Career Alternatives helping disadvantaged youth and adults to gain education and employment. Jerry supported and coached local youth basketball leagues, served as an active member and past president of the Japanese American Citizens League, was a founding member of the Asian Counseling and Referral Services, and taught English as a second language through various organizations.

With the encouragement of The Rev. Timothy Nakayama, Jerry went on a mission trip to Rome in 1989, where he was a Social Worker/Missioner for the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, working with refugees from Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union. After this experience, Jerry began to discern a call to ordained ministry. He graduated with an M.Div. from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary on June 2, 2000, and was ordained to the priesthood on January 13, 2001.

Beginning in 2000, Jerry served as the Missioner for Ethnic Ministries for the Diocese of Olympia. In this position, Jerry coordinated and supported the development of ethnic and multi-cultural congregations, as well as facilitated meetings with people of color seeking Holy Orders or pursuing lay leadership positions. From 2005-2010, he worked closely with The Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna “Nedi” Rivera and others to strengthen diversity in the diocese. He also provided anti-racism training to congregations and governing bodies within the diocese through the Anti-Racism Task Force and was part of the Hurricane Katrina Response Group.

In 2018, Jerry, along with The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, was integral in the formation of The Circles of Color, a gathering of grassroots communities by which the perspectives and voices of people of color are magnified.

Through the years of his ministry, Jerry also served as a supply priest at many congregations. Among these were: Faith Episcopal Church, Poulsbo; St. Clare’s, Snoqualmie; Church of the Holy Apostles, Bellevue; and Holy Family of Jesus, Tacoma (all in the Diocese of Olympia); at St Peter’s by the Sea in the Diocese of Alaska; at St. Paul’s and St. John’s Episcopal Churches of West Kauai in the Diocese of Hawaii; and at the Cheyenne River Episcopal Mission in Eagle Butte in the Diocese of South Dakota.

Jerry’s lifelong work as a social worker and a priest revolved around social justice. He worked towards increasing opportunities for those less advantaged, celebrated diversity, and always strove and advocated for a more inclusive, just, and equitable society.

It is my honor to posthumously award the Bishop’s Cross Award to The Rev. Canon Jerry Shigaki.