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

  • White-ish, Part I

    A note to my readers: Some 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

  • Idols in Our Own Image

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, October 11, 2020, Year A, 19 Pentecost, Proper 23 Exodus 32:1-14Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23Philippians 4:1-9Matthew 22:1-14 In the name of the Father and of the Son… Continue reading

  • The Absurdity of Ownership

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, October 4, 2020, Year A, 18 Pentecost, Proper 22 Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20Psalm 19Philippians 3:4b-14Matthew 21:33-46 In the name of the Father and of the… Continue reading

  • Jim White: Rest in Peace

    Last night, while watching a horrifying (un)presidential debate, Ben and I received the even more horrifying news that our much beloved friend and colleague, Bishop Jim White died after battling an infection having undergone a stem cell transplant to try… Continue reading

  • Wilderness Sacraments

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, September 27, 2020, Year A, 17 Pentecost, Proper 21 Exodus 17:1-7Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16Philippians 2:1-13Matthew 21:23-32 In the name of the Father, and of the Son,… Continue reading

  • Refiner’s Fire

    The 36 days between Aug. 1 and Sept. 5 are so full of milestones and memorials for me that it’s hard to keep up.  Our wedding anniversary; the birthdays of my father and my mother-in-law and the death day of… Continue reading

  • Saving Love

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, September 6, 2020, Year A, 14 Pentecost, Proper 18 Exodus 12:1-14Psalm 149Romans 13:8-14Matthew 18:15-20 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and… Continue reading

  • Redemption

    In about half an hour, I’m meeting the man who has the job that should have, by all rights and measurements, been mine.  I was the better candidate for the position, not by a long shot, but clearly, nonetheless; I… Continue reading

  • Space for the Spirit

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, August 30, 2020, Year A, 13 Pentecost, Proper 17 Exodus 3:1-15Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45cRomans 12:9-21Matthew 16:21-28 In the name of the Father, and of the… Continue reading

  • Worshiping Bodies

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, August 23, 2020, Year A, 12 Pentecost, Proper 16 Exodus 1:8-2:10Psalm 124Romans 12:1-8Matthew 16:13-20 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and… Continue reading