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

  • August 21

    Today, my dad would have turned 75. Here he is some years ago, as I like to remember him, tall and perfect and seated at a table with a glass of wine nearby: My dad’s parents and grandparents lived until… Continue reading

  • The Egg of Faith

    According to some recent research, scientists now think that women may, in fact, produce new egg cells throughout their reproductive years.  In many ways, this is good news.  For decades, scientists have held that a woman is born with all… Continue reading

  • Holy Arson: A Sermon

    August 18, 2019: Year C, 10 Pentecost, Proper 15 Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke 12:49-56 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. You know,… Continue reading

  • Thankful Children

    A few weeks ago, Ben and I celebrated 10 years of marriage.  The time has flown by.  To mark the day, we sat down with Fred (age 8) and Bea (age 4.5) and watched the video of our wedding.  The… Continue reading

  • Looking Down to Jesus

    In a sermon addressing Hebrews 12:1-2, retired UCC pastor, the Rev. Kathryn Matthews interprets the writer of Hebrews to be saying this: “The most important thing […] is to keep your eyes on Jesus — after all, he already traveled… Continue reading

  • The Children of Immigration

    Perhaps you have seen this picture on social media recently.  This image and images like this one, like of Oscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his small daughter Valeria whose bodies washed up on the shore of the river they tried… Continue reading

  • Nursing, prayer, and the changes of life

    A few days ago, somewhat planned and somewhat unplanned, we moved the baby, Toby, into his own crib in his own room for the night.  It was lovely to have our bedroom back in the evening and I think we… Continue reading

  • The Thankful Priest says hello

    I was once called, out of the blue, to be a kind of stand-in for the recently and lamentably deceased Rachel Held Evans.  It was the fall of 2012 and I had never before heard her name, but Bryan College… Continue reading