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

  • Elsie’s Hospitality

    Ben’s grandmother, Elsie Hammond, died on Tuesday.  She was 97 years old.  Last fall, she suffered a stroke from which she never recovered so she spent her last weeks and days (or so we were given to understand) unaware of… Continue reading

  • Don’t Take No for an Answer

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, August 16, 2020, Year A, 11 Pentecost, Proper 15 Genesis 45:1-15Psalm 133Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32Matthew 15:21-28 In the name of the Father, and of the Son,… Continue reading

  • Love Baby Turns 2

    My last baby turns two years old today.  This kid is something else.  It’s not that he’s my favorite child – no mother has favorites – but he is somehow different from my other children, I think because I have… Continue reading

  • The Compassion Commission

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, June 14, 2020, Year A, 2 Pentecost Genesis 18:1-15Psalm 116:1, 10-17Romans 5:1-8Matthew 9:35-10:23 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of… Continue reading

  • I don’t want to be (just) an ally

    These times, y’all.  This moment in history in our country, in our communities.  It is something else.  And, I am deeply aware of the holes in my experiences and my knowledge.  So, I feel like I should begin this post… Continue reading

  • A Pentecost Pandemic

    A Lectionary Reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church for worship from home, May 31, 2020, Year A, the Day of Pentecost Numbers 11:24-30Psalm 104:25-351 Corinthians 12:3b-13Acts 2:1-21John 20:19-23 In the name of the Father, and of the… Continue reading

  • You Are What You Feel

    Four years ago today, my father died.  Two years ago today, in the ninth month of my pregnancy with my last baby, Toby, I wrote this on my Facebook feed (thanks, FB, for the “Memories” feature): This morning, as I… Continue reading

    You Are What You Feel

  • The Kin-dom of God

    A lectionary reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial, Chattanoogafor worship from home, May 17, 2020, Year A, Easter 6 Acts 17:22-31Psalm 66:7-181 Peter 3:13-22John 14:15-21 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy… Continue reading

  • Beneath the Anger

    They say anger is often an expression of grief.  Maybe it’s true.  I didn’t believe it.  I honestly didn’t believe that such anger, that THIS anger, could be grief.  What did I have to grieve, after all?  That I didn’t… Continue reading

  • Still Thankfully Connected

    A lectionary reflection for the people of Thankful Memorial, Chattanoogafor worship from home, May 3, 2020, Year A, Easter 4 – Good Shepherd Sunday Acts 2:42-47Psalm 231 Peter 2:19-25John 10:1-10 In the name of the Father, and of the Son,… Continue reading