Where did the idea of “Say Something Nice Sunday” come from? Shouldn’t Christians always say something nice?
Mitch CarnellCarol, my wife, was teaching in an inner-city middle school in 2005 and I volunteered to help some of the students with their writing skills. I was overwhelmed by the pervasive nature of negativity both from the students and faculty. I felt that someone had to do something.
One day the principal told the students, “If you want to do well this year, just be nice.” An idea struck me. I wrote a little booklet, “Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. “My goal was to get the booklet used in both public and private schools, but that didn’t happen. The city of North Charleston was interested. The city bought copies for all of its employees. The city of Charleston bought copies for all of its neighborhood presidents. Mayor Keith Summey of North Charleston declared the first Say Something Nice Day on June 1, 2006.
In the meantime, the rhetoric in the Christian community was going from bad to worse, with major denominations on the brink of splintering and some groups denouncing each other.
The people at First Baptist Church, Charleston, wanted to help calm the atmosphere because the dialogue was hindering the mission of all Christians. I talked to our pastor, Marshall Blalock, about the idea of having a Say Something Nice Sunday for churches. He became an enthusiastic supporter. The congregation passed a resolution calling for the first Sunday in June of each year to be observed as Say Something Nice Sunday.
Edgar Boles, executive director of Charleston Baptist Association, became a supporter, as did Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Carlisle Driggers, who was retiring executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Donna Lea Fanning of First Baptist, Charleston, presented the idea to the association, and it was unanimously adopted with enthusiasm.
Boles submitted the resolution to the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and it was adopted in 2007 in a resolution titled, “Unity in the Body.” The convention did not include a specific date, but we plan to ask that it be amended. We also hope to get the resolution adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention and make this a national movement. The first Sunday in June was chosen because June is Better Communication Month.
The Charleston Atlantic Presbytery joined us for the first Say Something Nice Sunday, as did several other churches across the state. Lori Lethco, assistant to the pastor at First Baptist, added supporting materials to the First Baptist Church Web site. She also created artwork and posters. Myra Whittemore secured a great deal of publicity. I gave several radio interviews and one on SCETV. From all reports, the first Say Something Nice Sunday was a great success; however, we did not escape without criticism, especially from some religious bloggers. We were told that we were watering down the gospel.
As we prepare for the second annual Say Something Nice Sunday, we are encouraged by the response.
Sue Mathews from the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery has joined the sponsoring committee, as has Betty Thomas from the Cathedral of Praise and Angela Williams from Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Daniel Island. The committee plans to sponsor a poster contest for middle and high school students in the fall. The winner’s poster will be used in promotion of the third annual event. We are urging all churches and all Christians to join in. There are no fees and nothing to buy. The materials can be found at www.fbcharleston.org. Enter the Web site and click on “Calendar,” then click on “Seasonal Events.” You will find artwork, bulletin inserts and scripture passages. Churches and individuals are encouraged to submit additional materials. The committee would like to hear from churches that participate. Send your report to mitchcarnell@bellsouth.net.
The following appears in the Covenant of First Baptist Church of Charleston adopted by the congregation on Aug. 21, 1791: “We will be careful to conduct ourselves with uprightness and integrity, and in a peaceful and friendly manner, toward mankind in general, and toward Christians of all descriptions, in particular.”
That is a remarkable statement. If Christians in 1791 recognized the necessity of a Godlike attitude toward all Christians, can we do any less today? If we can honor God with our speech on one day, perhaps we can do it for two, three, or even more.