This morning I was reading an editorial in the "Sentinel Record" newspaper which was encouraging people in Garland County to vote in the upcoming run-of election for sheriff.  I'm sure that whoever wrote the piece (which seemed to me to point out fairly the qualifications of each candidate) understood that their efforts to encourage the electorate to vote might be a cry in the wilderness since, in fact, so few people traditionally vote in a run-off election.  I must say, I feel the same as I promote the annual Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service sponsored by the Village Interfaith Council this coming Tuesday, November 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church at 199 Barcelona (off Carmona).  I consider it a blessing to join with people of different faiths (mostly Christian) from the Village at a service that gives thanks to God for the many blessings we all enjoy in this great country of ours.  Unlike funerals in the Village which are often ecumenical in their attendance but produce mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, this service involves ministers of all denominations and beautiful singing and is completely upbeat in its purpose.  While I know we will be having a Mass of Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day (at 10:00 a.m. this year) at Sacred Heart Church which I hope you will attend, I ask you to please consider also attending and participating in this ecumenical Thanksgiving service and pray that we will continue to be more and more united in our belief in God, and for us, as Christians, in acknowledging Jesus Christ as our Savior, Lord and King of heaven and earth.