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

  • Reflections on Holy Week 2024

    Last week marked the holiest week in the Christian calendar. Beginning with Palm/Passion Sunday on March 24, through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, the week ended yesterday, with Easter Sunday. Those of us in liturgical traditions celebrated each day… Continue reading

    Reflections on Holy Week 2024

  • Grief and Gratitude on an Anniversary

    Today, January 10, has been a very important day on my calendar for over a decade now. On this day, in 2010, I began my tenure as Rector of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church. The first few times I celebrated this… Continue reading

    Grief and Gratitude on an Anniversary

  • Bethlehem: a Christmas sermon

    For the first time in 13 years, I am not serving a church this Christmas. It is a new and not quite welcome experience. I miss Thankful. I miss my people. In truth, I miss my pulpit, too. But that’s… Continue reading

    Bethlehem: a Christmas sermon

  • Two Natures

    The past month or so has led me to reflect a great deal on the two natures of Christ. It’s a theological concept and Church doctrine that I’ve always struggled to understand. How can Christ Jesus be both 100% human… Continue reading

    Two Natures

  • The Capital-C Church

    A few weeks ago, I posted these words on my Facebook page: I wrote those words immediately after a conversation with someone on a diocesan staff where I felt like I was being gaslit. I also wrote them after spending… Continue reading

  • If not there then here

    “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”  – Rabbi Tarfon Yesterday… Continue reading

  • A Litany for the Holy Land

    God of Love, you created all people as one family and called us to live together in justice, harmony and peace. Surround us with your love as we pray for the Holy Land.  Lord, in your mercy,Hear our prayer God… Continue reading

  • White-ish, Part III: on recent events

    A note to my readers:A long time ago, I published a blogpost in which I referred to myself as “sort of” white.  I got an inordinate amount of feedback, both positive and negative, some just curious, some weirdly aggressive, about… Continue reading

  • On Grief, and Leaving Thankful

    I confess to having stolen the key. It was a largely unintentional theft. Indeed, I shocked myself by doing it. But, when the moment came to leave my two keys to Thankful Church – the office key and the sanctuary… Continue reading

    On Grief, and Leaving Thankful

  • Jesus Not Included: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaApril 9, 2023Year A, Easter Day 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 the Holy Spirit.  Amen. A few weeks ago, against my own better judgement, I… Continue reading