How does our St. James Chapel interface with the greater community of Southport/Oak Island?
Our Chapel is an active member of the Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship (SOIICF), which is a non-profit voluntary gathering of representatives of congregations in the Southport Oak Island area who seek to offer a united witness for Christ in this community by working together. It is their desire to build bridges among the denominations and people, and to meet short term human needs.
All of the larger churches in our area and many smaller ones are members of the SOIICF. Meetings are held monthly and hosted by the member churches.
The SOIICF oversees the funding and services of the food pantry in Boiling Springs where many St. James residents volunteer. Chapel representatives participate on the Executive Committee of the SOIICF, attend and host meetings, and arrange for meals to support the annual SOIICF Lenten lunches.
We annually participate in the October Annual Walk for Hunger and Human needs. All the SOIICF member churches join together for a three-mile walk through Southport. The purpose/goal of this Walk is to raise funds for both the food pantry and for the financial support of special emergency temporary needs such as rent/utility assistance.
The 39th Annual Southport/Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship Walk (SOIICF) was held on October 22, 2023 at Franklin Square Park in Southport. The 3-Mile Walk began and ended at Franklin Park, passing seven of our member churches.
Over the prior 39 years of Walks, $355,685 has been raised to support human needs in our community. Rental payments, water and electric bill assistance, and food insecurity are a few areas of ongoing need. Additionally, we donate 25% of the funds raised to Church World Service, a world-wide ministry helping people fight hunger and meet other needs.