Controversial Speaker Coming to the ELCA's Augustana University

The Rev. Jes Kast is coming to Augustana University this month.  Rev. Kast is an minister in the United Church of Christ and "serves on the Planned Parenthood Clergy Advocacy Board."

Rev. Kast has been asked to speak at the Augustana Chapel of Reconciliation as well as give a lecture titled, "Won't You Be My Neighbor? Friendship and Solidarity Across Religious Differences," which is sponsored by Augustana's Department of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, Augustana Campus Ministry and the Thomas Staley Foundation. (See here) 

The Atlantic published an interview, this spring, featuring Rev. Jes Kast titled, "A Pastor’s Case for the Morality of Abortion." (See here) 

When asked, "Do you think there’s any context in which it’s immoral to have an abortion?" Rev. Kast replied, "I don’t. I really don’t. I don’t think I do. For me, it’s a health-care issue."

Augustana University is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). 

Augustana Campus Ministry shared the event on their Twitter page:

Rev. Jes Kast will speak at @AugustanaSD on "Won't You Be My Neighbor? Friendship and Solidarity Across Religious Differences — Join us at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in the 3-in-1 Room of the Morrison Commons: https://t.co/nRB2T8CTxO pic.twitter.com/H6loEqQbZr

— AugieCampusMinistry (@AugieChapel) September 16, 2019

​The following Tweets are from Rev. Jes Kast:
​

I’m at the most wonderful queer wedding filled with amazing people and a Lutheran Bishop and this is the view. Look at this glorious view□! @lura_groen @crazypastor @KerlinRichter @Iamrachelkurtz @Broken_Bread are all here and more. Let’s party!!! pic.twitter.com/Ytu6udUBrm

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) September 21, 2019

Bless bravely butches and sexy studs. Bless fierce femmes in lipstick. Bless gay joy. Bless burly bears. Bless leather and heels. Bless transgender resilience. Bless fluidity and gender bending. Bless queer liberation. Bless the becoming. Happy #Pride Blessing, Loves!

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) June 30, 2019

It is my honor to serve @PPFA on the Clergy Advocacy Board and work for reproductive access & healthcare for all people and to do so bc my Christian faith compels me to it. It was a joy to meet new acting CEO Alexis McGill Johnson on my conference call today. Wow! She’s amazing!

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) September 11, 2019

A church that promotes “gay conversion therapy” is not only blasphemous but is dangerously harming the Body of Christ. Period.

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) August 20, 2019

College football update□: My wife just taught me what “1st and 10” means and “2nd and...” and “3rd and...” This makes waaaaay more sense now. Next up, learning 4th down and punting...

By the time Bowl Season is here I’ll have this□ #IThink

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) September 14, 2019

In front of the church I serve as the lead pastor. Happily married to an incredible woman. Serving a vibrant church who loves Jesus & does justice and serves their community through the grace we profess. Ordained Pastor. Femme. Preacher. Married. #thisiswhatOnceGaylookslike pic.twitter.com/P9X8ZhkYsg

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) August 22, 2019

My congregation prayed for the hundreds of global scientists gathering at @penn_state this week to work on tangibly reversing the devastating effects of global climate change with Project Drawdown.@GretaThunberg told us to educate ourselves. So I am.https://t.co/bqSV8SqXvh

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) September 15, 2019

If you’re in Harrisburg, PA today, happy #Pride beloveds! Stop by @unitedchurch table to see some church fam. My wife and I are walking around and if you see us say hello! #LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/y88n0dNCJ9

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) July 27, 2019

I am so glad to be an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the @unitedchurch where we oppose the #DeathPenalty. Thanks to the Justice and Witness ministry for this statement today. pic.twitter.com/sud59e3OZT

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) July 25, 2019

I can always count on my favorite badass queer ex-mormon feminist to DELIVER THE BLESSINGS OF GAY GOODNESS!⚽️❤️□ https://t.co/og5mmhsAKp

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) July 10, 2019

A picture of my sanctuary today and our #Pride worship. My sermon was called “Whole and Holy” — to paraphrase on here “My #LGBTQ kindred, you are whole and you are holy. As you are. Blessed and beloved.” pic.twitter.com/AxRWHwjZ8Q

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) June 30, 2019

Happy #Pride from my church rainbow photo-booth and inside my sanctuary (before worship) and the pulpit I serve #FaithUCCSC! @unitedchurch representing in Central PA! pic.twitter.com/FQAGxj6ZMV

— Reverend Jes Kast (@RevJesKast) June 30, 2019

Rev. Jes Kast retweet the following:

Celebrating mass with @RevJesKast at #FaithUCCSC this Sunday morning! pic.twitter.com/hu6OyhqeMx

— □abortion stigma kills□ (@queenozymandias) June 30, 2019