Mitch Carnell

Effective Communication Made Simple

Posts Tagged celebration

All Saints’ Day Devotional – First Baptist Church ENews

Oct 26

Posted by Mitch in Authors, Say Something Nice, Uncategorized | Comments off

by Mitch Carnell (Photo by Merv Gibson)

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.  (Revelations 7:9 (RSV)

These decaying and misaligned tombstones give wittiness to the saints who have gone before us. Their souls are at peace. As we celebrate their lives, we reflect on all the good that they accomplished and how their influence continues today.

All Saints’ Day was originated for this purpose by Pope Boniface IV in 609 AD on May 13. Pope Gregory, III changed the date to November 1 during the mid-eighth century. After the reformation Protestants retained the observance to honor those who died in the last year.

We draw courage and strength remembering those whose lives we celebrate. Many demonstrated tremendous faith while enduring great hardships. No one can know the inner struggles of another person’s life, but we can know with certainty that they are triumphant over death. As we light a candle in honor of each of these, we light it in recognition that the light of her or his life will never be extinguished.

Prayer:

Dear Holy Father, as we celebrate the lives of our loved ones who now abide with you, help us to lead our lives in such a way that we will illuminate the path that will lead others to you. Amen.

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333 Years of Glorious Service and Counting

Oct 15

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Mitch, Jane & Arthur Caliandro 1-21-08On Sunday October 11, 2015 First Baptist Church of Charleston celebrated 333 years of glorious service to God, to the community, and to the world. Not only that but it launched a building campaign for the next 333 years. Think of that. It is not a museum church. It is a church vibrant with dedicated members and leaders. For the historians the service should have been on September 27th. The current sanctuary was dedicated in 1822 during the pastorate of Richard Furman.

Worshiping in this oldest Baptist Congregation in the South, in this time loved city of Charleston fills one with a certain sense of permanence and continuity. Both have been here a long time and neither is going anywhere.

I have been a member of this body for 50 years. I know that God brought me here. It is family. For most of the time it has been a good fit. For all of the time it has nourished my soul. I am indebted to the great saints of the past who made this place possible. I am inspired by some of the great saints of the present who labor on. I single some of these out in my book, Our Father: Discovering Family. I could never name all of them. Members of the congregation are busy with mission project both minor and major. They are really too numerous to mention but all of them are part of what makes First Baptist, First Baptist. For example, recently Emory Hyatt, Minister to Children, suggested that each Sunday school class give a small gift once each month to the day school teacher with whom we share space. Just another but thoughtful way to say, “We appreciate all that you do.” God is at work when the people of God are at work.

The picture is Mitch Carnell, Jane Hamrick, Dr. Arthur Caliandro of the Marble Collegiate Church in New York when he was a speaker for the John A. Hamrick Lectureship.

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Why Have a Say Something Nice Sunday?

Jul 4

Posted by Mitch in Authors | Comments off

Published by First Baptist Church of Charleston for Say Something Nice Sunday.
The simple answer is that words are powerful. Words have the power
to build or destroy. Words have the power to heal or wound. With
our words we have the power to build up a Christian community or
to destroy it.
Nowhere are words more powerful than within the church. “The
Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Words take on a life unto
themselves. Once they are given life they are on their way for good
or evil.
This special day is an opportunity to build the community of
faith, strengthen relationships and heal old wounds. Our national
discourse has become so strident and even in religious circles the
rhetoric is often far from Christ-like. In Philippians 1:27 we read, “Let
your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.”
This is a day to say thank you to those who make our lives better
just by being a part of them. This is a day to recognize those who
contribute to our lives in specific ways. This is a day to apologize for
words spoken in frustration, anger or disappointment.
One day is one day, but perhaps we can stretch it to two days and
then just maybe if we encourage one another and ask for God’s help,
we might change the world!

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Challange UK Reports on Say Something Nice Sunday

Jun 26

Posted by Mitch in Say Something Nice, The Book | Comments off

            The Challenge, the oldest evangelical non-denominational newspaper in the UK, says that churches all across the UK were celebrating Say Something Nice Sunday on the first Sunday in June. The article is in their on-line edition. This is a very promising development. The celebration was first mentioned when the Baptist Times of the UK invited churches to participate. We want all churches everywhere to join us. Help us promote this celebration of Christian communication. If you have contacts with churches of any denomination anywhere, use your influence to enlist them. There is nothing to join and nothing to buy.

            Bishop Guglielmone of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston is especially concerned with the effect all of the mean rhetoric is having on children. We would like for parent groups and youth groups to join us. Teenagers could form networks by texting their friends. We can turn the atmosphere of mean speech around, but it will take all of us. Remember to let your communication be filled with grace.

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