The United Church of Chapel Hill recently dedicated $120,000 to the Marian Cheek Jackson Center, working to advance racial equity and community empowerment. 

The donation comes from the congregation’s Pillars of Promise Capital Campaign proceeds, and it notes the center’s dedication to preserving Black history and promoting community education in Chapel Hill.

“It has long been our tradition that whenever we invest in our church’s physical infrastructure, we also invest in the mission of our community,” said campaign leader at United Church, Vicki Gardner in a release. “Our partnership with the Jackson Center is a natural outgrowth of our years of reflection and action on racial justice—and a reflection of the strong relationship we’ve built together in recent years.”

United Church formally announced the gift in Easter Sunday worship with an initial down payment of $38,000. The decision to dedicate funds to the Jackson Center followed a period of discernment led by the church’s Justice and Equity Task Force and the Pillars of Promise steering committee.

The pledge aims to continue the congregation’s legacy of engaging in sustained prayer, study, and action on racial justice, according to the release. United Church’s other work includes hosting programs like Sacred Conversations on Race, training with the Racial Equity Institute, and public acts of confession, including the adoption of a church covenant on racial justice.

The donation also honors Tom Tiemann, a church member and advocate for Freedom Schools who recently passed away. Developed during the Civil Rights Movement and championed by the Children’s Defense Fund, Freedom Schools focuses on literacy, Black history, civic engagement, and leadership development among young people, and the Jackson Center will hold its annual Freedom School at United Church again this summer. 

“Our gifts are not only strengthening our church,” said Senior Pastor Cameron Barr. “They are extending our mission—bearing witness to the power of Christ’s love at work in the wider community.”

Total pledges to Pillars of Promise have surpassed $1.2 million, with additional commitments still welcome. 

For more information about the United Church of Chapel Hill, click here.

Featured photo via the United Church of Chapel Hill.

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