An island oasis

It's been another scorcher of a summer. Many of us have retreated to our air-conditioned houses. We venture out early in the morning or late in the evening, but we appreciate the respite of our cool, comfortable homes.

Some of our neighbors aren't so fortunate. The unsheltered, or folks who don't have the luxury of air conditioning in their homes, bear the brunt of the summer heat. We who are privileged don't always think about this — not because we are cruel or unsympathetic, but because we don't see the people who are suffering.

Shari Roan wrote about the cooling center last year here in the Observer. "The suffering caused by excessive heat has caught the attention of a group of Nassau County citizens who last year formed the Nassau County Extreme Weather Coalition. The group has succeeded … in opening a cooling center at First Missionary Baptist Church. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when the heat index reaches 103 degrees or higher."

The cooling center is truly an oasis on the island for our neighbors who need a cool place to go during the dog days of summer. I try to find volunteer activities in the community where I can serve. When I recently learned about the cooling center, I signed up. I've only volunteered a few times — but what a beautiful experience it has been! I've met other volunteers who give of their time and talents, and it is such a joy to spend time with them. Four of the people I was lucky to meet and serve with are congregants at First Missionary — Ella, Aldo, Stephanie and Brian. They are pillars of the church, and pillars in the community. They serve without hesitation, and they make life a little easier and a little more comfortable for their neighbors in need.

Maybe you have passed by the First Missionary Baptist Church and didn't really notice it or question its significance. The sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall next door where the cooling center is housed, are located near the corner of Ninth Street and Ash Avenue. In front of the church stands a historical marker identifying the church as a Florida Heritage Site. It reads in part: "The First Missionary Baptist Church of Fernandina was founded by slaves in 1860 under the leadership of its first pastor, Elder William Rose of Savannah, Georgia. The congregation worshipped in multiple buildings until settling at its current location in 1873. Completed in 1874, this wood-frame vernacular church exhibits classical and medieval elements and is the oldest known black Missionary Baptist Church with uninterrupted service in Florida."

First Missionary Baptist is a special place. I knew it immediately when I walked through the doors of Fellowship Hall and read the mission and vision statements on a plaque on the wall. It reads: 

"The mission statement of the First Missionary Baptist Church is to reach the lost by modeling The Great Commission through Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry, Fellowship and worship. We endeavor to make the Great Commandment of the Great Commission the major focus of our becoming 'the church in the heart of the city with a desire to be in the hearts of all people!'" The vision statement reads, "we the members of First Missionary Baptist Church desire to fulfill vision by staying connected to our Mission Statement ultimately becoming the thermostat that sets the temperature for our church, city and community while transforming the lives of broken people who are trying to pick up the pieces." 

Such beautiful words from the members of a community church that truly knows how to serve! I was grateful to spend a bit of time with the faithful of First Missionary Baptist. They are role models for us all.

If you have a story you'd like to share here in the Fernandina Observer — about a neighbor or friend or stranger or business that showed kindness, or about kindness and compassion in general — please contact Peggie Weeks at pegweeks@gmail.com