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

  • Better Questions for Times of Trouble: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaMarch 20, 2022Year C, Lent 3 Exodus 3:1-15Psalm 63:1-81 Corinthians 10:1-13Luke 13:1-9 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. It’s been hard for a while now.  But the proverbial… Continue reading

  • Success: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaFebruary 6, 2022Year C, Epiphany 5 Isaiah 6:1-13Psalm 1381 Corinthians 15:1-11Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Since the first season of the podcast was released… Continue reading

  • The Surprising Pull of Grief

    This morning, I had to pause unexpectedly in the rush to get myself and my kids out the door to work and school.  Right in the middle of the chaos of it all, as I reached out for my toothbrush,… Continue reading

  • A Thankful Dozen

    On this day in 2010 (that’s twelve years ago for the math-challenged), I began my tenure as Rector of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church by celebrating Sunday morning Eucharist in our beautiful stone sanctuary.  I had no clue where to sit… Continue reading

    A Thankful Dozen

  • Receivers: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaJanuary 9, 2022Year C, Epiphany 1 Isaiah 43:1-7Acts 8:14-17Psalm 29Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. Today, we celebrate the first Sunday after the Epiphany.  The… Continue reading

  • The Good News in Tense Times: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2021 Isaiah 9:2-7Psalm 96Titus 2:11-14Luke 2:1-20 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. I know I sound like a grade-school teacher when I… Continue reading

  • Repent & Rejoice: A sermon

    Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, ChattanoogaYear C, Advent 3 Zephaniah 3:14-20Canticle 9 (Isaiah 12:2-6)Philippians 4:4-7Luke 3:7-18 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. The third Sunday of Advent is known as “Rejoice”… Continue reading

  • A Future with Hope: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, TennesseeYear B, 19 Pentecost, Proper 22October 3, 2021 Job 1:1; 2:1-10Psalm 26Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12Mark 10:2-16 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. I want to start… Continue reading

  • Finding Hope Amid the Headlines: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaSeptember 5, 2021Year B, 15 Pentecost, Proper 18 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23Psalm 125James 2:1-17Mark 7:24-37 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. In the portion of Mark we read… Continue reading

  • Bread for Souls and Bodies: a sermon

    Thankful Memorial, ChattanoogaAugust 15, 2021Year B, 12 Pentecost, Proper 15 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14Psalm 111Ephesians 5:15-20John 6:51-58 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. “Whoever eats of this bread will live… Continue reading