CHARLESTON — Next week is Thanksgiving week across the nation. Governor Joe Manchin III has recently proclaimed the week, Nov. 22-28, Christian Heritage Week in West Virginia. Beginning with Governor Gaston Caperton in 1992, this marks the 18th consecutive year.

Churches are asked to celebrate with relevant Sunday school lessons, sermons, a reading of the proclamation, youth programs, prayer meetings, patriotic songs including The West Virginia Hill. All churches should invite the community to attend.

In parts of the proclamation it states “for many West Virginians, public school days once began with daily Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and Bible reading.” It continues to add “the influence of Christianity in West Virginia is evident by her many churches and Christian charities, ministries, missions, and schools; cherished Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving holiday seasons; and a willingness of Mountaineers to love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Gov. Manchin is asking everyone in the Mountain State to invite all citizens and join him in observance of Christian Heritage Week.

For a copy of the proclamation and The West Virginia Hills, plus ideas on ways to celebrate, visit the Web site www.chwinwv.org.