Historic First Baptist Church of Charleston, now in its 325th year, and Charleston Baptist Association, the oldest Baptist association in the South, are declaring the first Sunday in June as “Say Something Nice Sunday.” The congregation and the association are leading a movement “to turn down the abrasive rhetoric in all religious groups,” according to Mitch Carnell, a deacon at First Baptist Church.
Mitch CarnellThe goal on that Sunday is that no one will utter an unkind word about another person or religious body and instead will say something uplifting.
The idea came from Carnell’s book, “Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter.” In 2006, mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston issued a proclamation declaring the first day of June as “Say Something Nice Day.” He will do the same for 2007. A Sunday for churches to become involved is a natural extension, according to Carnell.
“We want not only Baptist churches to join us, but we invite all churches and denominations to join us,” Carnell said. “This is a grassroots effort from the pew that sends a clear message to those in high places within church life to restore civility to our communication.”
Packets of information are available from First Baptist Church, including scriptural references, bulletin inserts and suggestions for ways to celebrate the event. Carnell hopes that the South Carolina and Southern Baptist conventions will adopt the program.