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

  • Lift Up Your Hearts: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaFebruary 2, 2020Year A, The Presentation Malachi 3:1-4Psalm 24:7-10Hebrews 2:14-18Luke 2:22-40 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Remember those emergency warnings we used to get on t.v.?  You’d… Continue reading

  • Holy, Thankful Underdogs: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaJanuary 26, 2020Year A, Epiphany 1; Annual Parish Meeting Isaiah 9:1-4Psalm 27:1, 5-131 Corinthians 1:10-18Matthew 4:12-23 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. There’s something really wonderful about unlikely… Continue reading

  • Beloved of God, Bound to Each Other: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga January 12, 2020 Year A, Epiphany 1 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29Acts 10:34-43Matthew 3:13-17 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. As Matthew’s gospel tells it, Jesus asks John… Continue reading

  • Hope in the Midst of Humanity: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga January 5, 2020Year A, Christmas 2 Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84:1-8; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19a; Matthew 2:1-12 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. As we prepare to celebrate the… Continue reading

  • Coloring in the Christmas Story: A Homily

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaDecember 24, 2019 Year A, Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Listen again to the Christmas story in… Continue reading

  • Heartstrings

    I haven’t intended for this blog to take up death as one of its main subjects, but it is a topic I keep coming back to.  In part, I think this is because my profession has given me a kind… Continue reading

  • Left Behind and Working It: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga; December 1, 2019; Year A, Advent 1 Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 A few weeks ago, our organist Sheryl told a few of us who were here before the service a story about the… Continue reading

  • Long-Haul Nutrition

    Some weeks ago, I attended a discussion with a registered dietician about kids’ nutrition.  The event was hosted by Beatrice’s preschool and the dietician, Mary Pate-Bennett, was on hand to answer all the millions of questions we parents have about… Continue reading

  • It’s the End of the World As We Know It: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga; November 17, 2019; Year C, Proper 28 Isaiah 65:17-25; Canticle 9 (Isaiah 12:2-6); 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19 “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines… Continue reading

  • Surprising Saints: A Sermon

    Thankful Memorial, Chattanooga; November 3, 2019Year C, 20 Pentecost, Proper 25All Saints’ Sunday + Commitment Sunday + Baptisms Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Luke 19:1-10 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and… Continue reading