Mitch Carnell

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Candidates rebuff ‘say something nice’ challenge – Bob Allen -Baptists News Global

Jun 3

Posted by Mitch in Uncategorized | Comments off

  JUNE 2, 2016

A South Carolina Baptist layman voiced disappointment after the three remaining candidates for U.S. president rebuffed his challenge to a one-day moratorium on incivility.

For the 10th anniversary of Say Something Nice Day, founder Mitch Carnell asked presidential candidates to agree to a two part pledge: do not say anything negative about each other and if possible say something nice on June 1.

All three candidates not only ignored a May 20 deadline to respond to the challenge, Carnell said, but if anything stepped up the negativity that characterizes much of today’s polarized political debate.

Carnell, a member of First Baptist Church in Charleston, S.C., said the committee promoting the annual observance hoped a one-day lull in the war of words would have a positive influence leading to a more civil discussion of issues facing the country.

”We are in need of good examples of civility in the public square,” Carnelltold the Baptist Courier, newspaper of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. “The present level of rhetoric is totally lacking in respect for differing viewpoints.”

The candidates have a second chance to tone down the rhetoric this weekend. June 5 marks the 10th anniversary of Say Something Nice Sunday, an annual observance that began when Carnell observed negativity from both students and teachers when he volunteered to help at an inner-city middle school where his wife taught.

The experience inspired Carnell to write a booklet called Say Something Nice, Be a Lifter! He intended to distribute the book in public and private schools. That didn’t work out, but the idea took root after his home church passed a resolution declaring the first Sunday in June Say Something Nice Sunday.

From there the idea spread to other churches of various denominations, and Say Something Nice Day made its way into the cultural lexicon, appearing today on most online calendars listing major holidays and observances.

Carnell said in an email June 2 he has no way of knowing exactly how many churches or individuals are heeding his call to say something nice. “We ask them to let us know, but only a few do,” “he said.

Ten years into the movement, Carnell said he is pleased with response to his efforts, “but as you know we have a long way to go.”

The First Baptist Church of Charleston website offers free downloadable resources for observing Say Something Nice Sunday on the messages/resources page of the church website.

Carnell said the purpose of Say Something Nice is simple: “On this one day, do not say anything negative about any person, Christian organization or group, and, if possible, say something nice.”

His challenge to the presidential candidates was twofold, that either on June 1 or June 5 “I will refrain from saying anything ugly, demeaning or derogatory to or about anyone, especially any of the other candidates running for the presidency of the United States” and “I will say something nice, uplifting or encouraging to or about at least one person running for the presidency of the United States.”

“I understand that remarks related to physical characteristics are off limits for this exercise,” Carnell stipulated in the candidate pledge

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Letter and Pledge to Presidential Candidates

May 3

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The following letter and pledges were sent to each of the presidential candidates by name and asked to respond by May 20.

June 1, 2016 is the eleventh annual Say Something Nice Day and June 5, 2016 is the tenth annual Say Something Nice Sunday. Our ecumenical committee is asking each presidential candidate to take our Civility Pledge for either one or both of those days. This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a bright light on the importance of civil discourse in America.

Our movement is supported by both democrats and republicans. We also have the support of the major religious denominations including but not limited to Baptists, Catholics, Disciples of Christ, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodists, and Presbyterians. We are also reaching out to the Jewish community.

Please sign either one and or both the enclosed pledges and return them to me by May 20, 2016.

We will release the names of those candidates who have taken one or both of our pledges prior to June 1. If it is possible please give our movement a mention in one of your speeches.

Thank you for your love for the United States and your willingness to run for the highest office in the land. It is a daunting task.

Sincerely,Mitch Carnell, Chair Say Something Nice Sunday Committee

Civility Challenges for Presidential Candidates

Civility Challenge One:

I pledge that on June 1, 2016 and or June 5, 2016, I will refrain from saying anything ugly, demeaning or derogatory to or about anyone especially any of the other candidates running for the presidency of the United States.

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: __________________

Civility Challenge Two:

I pledge that on June 1, 2016 and/or June 5, 2016, I will say something nice, uplifting or encouraging to or about at least one person running for the presidency of the United States. I understand that remarks related to physical characteristics are off limits for this exercise.

Signed: ____________________________________ Date_____________________

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Take the Pledge and Say Something Nice – Norris Burke

May 18

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05/16/2014
Last week, I was sitting in my hospital office when I received an e-mailed news release from First Baptist Church of Charleston, S.C., asking me to encourage readers to participate in the eighth annual “Say Something Nice Sunday” on June 1. You’ll not yet find the day on your calendar, but event organizers are hoping to encourage people to use the day to take a two-part Civility Pledge. Participants will promise first to “Refrain from saying anything ugly, demeaning or derogatory to anyone in my workplace,” and second, “to say something nice, uplifting or encouraging.” Well, I thought as I left the office to visit patients, ‘this should be easy.’ After all, chaplains get paid to avoid derogatory comments and promote uplifting things. I stopped by the bustling nurses’ station, where I saw an opportunity to kick off my pledge drive. Behind the desk sat a familiar doctor wearing a bright, checked shirt. “I like that pink shirt, doctor,” I said. He responded with a flippant glare. “He doesn’t think it’s pink,” his nurse said in his defense. “He says it’s orange.” “Aren’t those red squares on a white background?” I asked her. “Don’t red and white make pink?” “I tried to tell him that,” she whispered. The doctor dismissively swiveled his chair away from us. This “nice” stuff wasn’t as easy as the news release made it sound. I was beginning to wonder if nice guys really do finish last. An hour later, I was back in my office charting patient visits when my email program chirped. Hoping the Baptists were sending revised instructions, I quickly checked my inbox. The e-mail was from Rev. Christopher Flesoras, a Greek Orthodox priest and a newly commissioned chaplain in the Air National Guard. Flesoras is in line to replace me when I retire, and his e-mail contained a nice thank you for my mentorship. He sounded as if he could be bucking to become grand marshal of the Say Something Nice Sunday Parade, even. But his note, like his recent life, took a solemn turn. Flesoras asked for prayers for his 41-year-old wife, Krissy as she undergoes more clinical trials for lung cancer. “Please ask your readers to pray for Krissy,” he said. “Every prayer lifted up and intercession with God is a blessing for her, and by extension, for our family.” This athletic mother of two had been battling lung cancer for the past two years. And, before you ask, she never smoked cigarettes. In fact, she’s the one of out every nine lung cancer victims stricken through apparently no fault of their own. Wow. Here was a guy who took a moment, literally on his way to the doctor’s office with his sick wife, to say something nice to me. His words were a true reflection of Apostle Paul’s admonition in Colossians 4:5-6. “Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out” (The Message). At the end of the day, I’ll be taking the “Say Something Nice” pledge because people like Flesoras inspire me to believe that being nice to others just might help our world. But just to be clear, I’m thinking we’ll need more than a Sunday. Visit my website www.thechaplain.net where I’ve posted a link to download free promotional material for “Say Something Nice Sunday.” I also provide a link to Krissy’s blog, which documents her saga and provides great resources for those who support people with lung cancer.

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Eighth Annual Say Something Nice Sunday – June 1, 2014

Apr 16

Posted by Mitch in Say Something Nice | Comments off

            The Eighth Annual Say Something Nice Sunday is June 01, 2014. It is a day to celebrate the people who bring joy to our lives. The goal is to turn down the harsh rhetoric and to replace it with speech that is affirming, uplifting and more Christ-like.  This year the Baptist World Alliance will help promote the celebration. The movement started at First Baptist Church of Charleston, the oldest Baptist congregation in the South, and has spread to most denominations including the Catholic Diocese of Charleston.

This year the steering committee is presenting two civility challenges. These are voluntary and self-monitoring. Civility Challenge One: I pledge that during the next 30 days I will refrain from saying anything ugly, demeaning or derogatory to anyone in my workplace and/or daily activities. If I need to offer correction, I will do it in a respectful manner. I will keep a record for each day that notes whether or not I kept the pledge and any reactions directly related to the exercise.

Civility Challenge Two: For the next 30 days I will say something nice, uplifting or encouraging to at least one person every day. I understand that comments that involve physical appearance are off limits for this exercise. I will keep a record for each day that notes whether or not I kept the pledge and of any specific reactions directed related to the exercise.

There is nothing to buy or join. Free materials are available at www.fbcharleston.org. Click on Messages/Resources at the top of the home page and then click Say Something Nice Sunday on the right side of the page. Others are encouraged to develop and share their own materials.

 

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