President Barack Obama’s former pastor will visit Ames next month to speak at the Iowa Methodist Federation for Social Action’s Awards Banquet.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright led Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago from 1972 until last year and forged close ties to Obama, who was a Trinity member for years. During the presidential campaign, Obama severed ties with Wright after video clips of his sermons emerged showing him condemning U.S. policies. The 2003 sermon showed Wright angrily discussing to the mistreatment of Japanese prisoners in World War II and native Americans, as well as what he called an inferior education system and slavery.

“The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing ‘God Bless America?’ No, no, no. Not God bless America; God damn America! That’s in the Bible — for killing innocent people.”

His supporters said sound bites misrepresented his theology and preaching.

Obama ultimately resigned from Trinity and distanced himself from Wright.

The June 6 event starts at 5:30 p.m. at Scheman Hall Auditorium on the Iowa State University campus. Tickets are $20 with a meal, $10 without, and must be ordered by May 27 by calling 515-633-0037 or by e-mailing Rita Carter at ritaac@mchsi.com.