The Body Within the Body: What is Bodily Autonomy to Members of the body of Christ?

Rev. Latishia James will be at Louisville Seminary to deliver the lecture in person with an option for remote participants to join virtually. Only an audio recording will be available post-lecture. Registration is required whether attending in-person or online.

Rev. Latishia James (she/they), co-executive director of the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity (SACReD), will explore theo-ethical themes of agency, self-determination, and the ever elusive idea of free will through the lens of Reproductive Justice. Drawing on her experience as a leader within the Reproductive Justice movement, knowledge of womanist theology, and her practice as a healing-centered pleasure coach Rev. James will call into question the ways that the holistic body of Christ has been ill-prepared to truly hold the importance of sexual and/or reproductive justice for our human mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. She’ll explore possible solutions and affirm the connection between the greatest commandment of loving ourselves and each other as we love God, and healing the divide between our sexual and spiritual selves.

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About Rev. Latishia James (she/they)

Rev. Latishia James, MDiv (she/they) affectionately known as Rev. Pleasure is a Black queer femme, womanist, writer, facilitator of healing spaces for BIPOC women, femmes, and LGBTQIA folks, and healing-centered pleasure coach. A Master of Divinity and Certificate of Sexuality+ Religion graduate from Pacific School of Religion she lives - and works - at the intersection of pleasure activism, sacral sanctity, spirituality, reproductive and healing justice.

Rev. James also holds a bachelor of arts from Villanova University in Human Services, which is where they first understood that they could be a healing practitioner beyond a medical professional and began advocating for the wholeness of women and girls of color. Their startup spirit and ministry of presence reaches beyond the physical walls of "the church." Her service as a rape crisis counselor, LGBTQ activist, hospital and abortion-clinic chaplain, and facilitator blossomed into Pleasure Principles Consulting, LLC. Their consulting and spiritual coaching practice for people harmed by religious rhetoric and patriarchal power-based violence.

Latishia currently serves as Co-Director for Organizational Development at Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity (SACReD) where they work to make Reproductive Justice a lived reality through liberating religious education and organizing people of faith. Latishia is an ordained Reverend in The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries. Like the true womanist she is, she “loves music. Loves dance. Loves the moon. Loves the Spirit. Loves love and food and roundness. Loves struggle. Loves the Folk. Loves herself. Regardless.

About the Caldwell Lecture

The Caldwell Lectures honor former Louisville Seminary President Frank H. Caldwell who served from 1930 to 1964. Dr. Caldwell was Professor of Homiletics during his time at the seminary in addition to serving as President from 1936–1964. He also served as the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1966 after retiring from the seminary. In addition to the Caldwell Lectures a professorship in homiletics has been endowed in his name at the seminary. View prior lectures here.

The Body Within the Body: What is Bodily Autonomy to Members of the body of Christ?

2024 Caldwell Hybrid Lecture presented by Rev. Latishia James