The Thankful Priest – Leyla King

Hi, I’m Leyla.

I’m an Episcopal priest, author, Palestinian American, and small church advocate – all of which are part of my identity as the Thankful Priest. Click here to learn more.

Daughters of Palestine

Daughters of Palestine is now available for pre-order wherever you get your books. Release-date of the paperback is July 8 but you can get an early digital copy by joining the Launch Team

Small Churches, Big Impact Collective

As one of the founders of the Small Churches Big Impact Collective, I’m passionate about the dynamic nature of small churches. The average Episcopal church has an average Sunday attendance of 40. Yet these small churches, all around the nation, are having a big impact on their members and communities. Click here to learn more.

Palestinian Anglicans and Clergy Allies

Palestinian Anglicans and Clergy Allies (PACA) is a grassroots organization of Palestinians – both living in the land of Palestine and in the diaspora – who are members of the Anglican Communion worldwide, and the ecumenical alliance of clergy and seminarians who support them. Our goal is to educate and equip the clergy of the Church in the global West to understand, teach and preach from sound theological and pastoral foundations about the realities faced by Palestinians. Click here to learn more.

The Thankful Priest
Blog

While I am an author and speaker, my blog is where I pen my most personal reflections.

Check out the Thankful Priest Blog by clicking here or scrolling down below.

Latest Blog Posts

  • And Yet Rejoice

    A lectionary reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial, Chattanoogafor worship from home, April 19, 2020, Year A, Easter 2 Acts 2:14a, 22-32Psalm 161 Peter 1:3-9John 20:19-31 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the… Continue reading

  • Alleluia Nevertheless

    A lectionary reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga for worship from home, April 12, 2020, Year A, Easter Sunday Jeremiah 31:1-6;Acts 10:34-43Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24Colossians 3:1-4John 20:1-18 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of… Continue reading

  • Words of Hope: A Reflection

    A reflection on the Lectionary for Worship from Home, March 29, 2020: Year A, Lent 5 Ezekiel 37:1-14Psalm 130Romans 8:6-11John 11:1-45 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. In the midst… Continue reading

  • Water Jars & the Corona Virus

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaMarch 15, 2020Year A, Lent 3 Exodus 17:1-7Psalm 95Romans 5:1-11John 4:5-42 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. The Samaritan woman at the well is my favorite gospel story. … Continue reading

  • Reflections Upon Hitting the Glass Ceiling

    I voted today. If you had asked me two weeks ago who I was going to vote for, I would have told you I didn’t know for sure but that I was leaning towards Tom Steyer.[i]  But, today, as I… Continue reading

  • Gene Smitherman: A Funeral Homily

    St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Ga.January 28, 2020 Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39Psalm 121Revelation 7:9-17John 10:11-16 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. This morning, we come together to celebrate the life… Continue reading

  • Knowledge Cannot Save Us: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaMarch 1, 2020Year A, Lent 1 Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7Psalm 32Romans 5:12-19Matthew 4:1-11 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.     On this first Sunday of Lent, we begin our… Continue reading

  • Reconciliation: A Homily

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaFebruary 26, 2020Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:1-12Psalm 103:8-142 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Today, we enter together the Church’s season of Lent.  Many of… Continue reading

  • The Gifts of Anger

    I am coming to realize that the process of adulthood, of becoming grown up, is about discovering the depths of one’s own capability to feel, to be fully human, fully alive.  Many of my posts here – indeed, a lot… Continue reading

  • The Law of the Lord: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaFebruary 16, 2020Year A, Epiphany 6 Deuteronomy 30:15-20Psalm 119:1-81 Corinthians 3:1-9Matthew 5:21-37 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. There is a rationale behind the selection of scriptures we… Continue reading