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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Congregation founded 1949 | LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation since 1995 | Green Sanctuary since 2007
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Seeking the Spirit | Building Community | Changing the World |
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Join us for online services
Livestreamed on Sunday mornings at 10:15 am
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Hearing assistive devices are now available at the AV Tech booth in the rear of the sanctuary for use during Sunday worship services.
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NEW Guidelines from NEST
The NEST (Next Steps in Transition) working group met on Sunday, January 30th. Upon further review of the most current scientific evidence regarding differential risks for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, and to best serve our congregation, it was decided that we will open for in-person worship service attendance starting on Sunday, February 6.
Please read the new guidelines below since they have changed.
NEW Sunday Worship Guidelines for In-person Attendees:
- Vaccination, including the third dose booster, against Covid-19 will be required.
- N95, KN95, or double masking will be required.
- We will continue to maintain social distancing.
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Pre-registration for worship services will not be required.
- Quiet singing in worship services will be allowed.
For a complete list of current guidelines, including guidelines for in-person meetings, please click here.
As always, each individual must decide what is right for them when deciding whether or not to attend activities in-person.
Warmest regards,
The NEST Working Group: Jane McLeod, Abby Gitlitz, Michele Grove, Judy Klein, Ann LeDuc, Dan Lodge-Rigal, Sarah Sanchez, Melinda Swenson, and Reverend Mary Ann Macklin.
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Sunday, February 6, 2022
10:15 a.m. Livestream & In Person
Widening the Circle
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Reverend Bill Breeden
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
In this worship service, we will explore this month’s theme of Widening the Circle by exploring the 2020 book, Widening the Circle of Concern from the UUA Commission on Institutional Change---In a world where people can understand more about one another’s lives, cultural competency is increasingly expected. Our theological legacy has long put us on the forefront of advocacy and prophetic action to widen the circle of concern for marginalized groups---How do we, as a congregation, prepare for today’s issues of inclusion? Where have we been?
Where are we today? Where are we going?
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Sunday, February 13, 2022
10:15 a.m. Livestream & In Person
Creating Resilience in Our Lives
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
As we aspire to widen the circle of concern in our lives as liberal religious seekers, how do care for our spirit along the way? What can we learn from our vision of Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World. What does it mean to have an embodied theology? Please join us for this worship service in which these questions will be explored in mind, body and spirit. Earth, Courage, Calm Abiding.
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Covid Memorial Visiting Hour
Sundays, noon-1PM
Each Sunday, beginning February 6th, we will be opening our sanctuary to those who would like to visit our Covid Memorial Installation. This is an opportunity to be in the presence of the numbers we have written so far, sharing a time of silence and reflection. Those who would like to may light candles of memory, write numbers, record the name or names of loved ones who have died of Covid, or sit or move among the columns of numbers as you are so moved. A minister or pastoral care team member will be present.
In keeping with our current guidelines for gathering, visitors are expected to be fully vaccinated and also boosted if you are over 12 years old. Please wear an n95 or kn95 mask. If you do not have one, one will be provided.
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Notes from the Board 2/1/22
January Board meeting news, Interim Ministry plans
January 2022 has been a busy month for the Board, as we look forward to an exciting new year ahead.
At our Zoom meeting this month we received ministerial reports from Rev. Macklin and Rev. Leite.
Rev. Breeden was at the University of Evansville, where he gave the lead presentation at a conference on the abolition of the death penalty, and so he was unable to attend the Board meeting.
We also received an update from Susan Swaney, Music Director. The pandemic has been especially difficult for our church choir and we are extremely grateful for their continuing commitment and ingenuity in sharing their uplifting gift of music with all of us.
Michele Grove, our Interim Religious Education Consultant, also provided an update on the work she and Stephanie Kimball, Religious Education Coordinator, are doing as well as plans they have for introducing a variety of programs and educational opportunities for the congregation. Watch upcoming issues of The Prologue and Friday UU Update for details.
As we announced at the December Congregational Meeting, a major task for this spring will be the selection of an Interim Minister who will join us in August. The Board has notified the UUA of our intent to launch an Interim Minister search and the first step in that process is the appointment of a search committee.
On behalf of the Board, we are extremely pleased to share with you the names of those UUCB members who have agreed to serve on the Interim Minister Search Committee:
· Alan Backler
· Jane McLeod
· Linda Pickle
· Scott Sanders
· Drew Schrader
They will work with and be assisted by the UUA Transitions Office as well as staff from the UUA MidAmerica Regional office. Look for further information on the process and a time-line for these activities in the Prologue and Friday Update.
I close this Board Update with two notes of deep and sincere appreciation:
First, to Julie Lawson, for the outstanding contributions she has made as an At-Large Member of the Board. In December, Julie notified the Board recently that she needed to step away from her work on the Board. Julie has been a thoughtful, dedicated, and caring member of the Board and we will miss the fellowship we have shared together.
Second, I am very pleased to inform the Congregation that Linda Pickle has accepted the Board’s invitation to serve as a replacement At-Large member of the Board until elections can be held at the June congregational meeting.
Stuart D. Yoak, Congregational President
pres (at) uubloomington.org
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MAM Musing
Two weeks ago, I shared that “we are keeping long time member Karen Jewell and her husband Jeff Cohen in our hearts.” Jeff was one of four hostages who escaped physical harm the previous Saturday, after an 11-hour stand-off with a gunman at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas. Jeff’s message, since that time, has included----opposing hate and not living in fear. However, such ordeals do not resolve easily, and both Karen and Jeff will need our ongoing love and support as they move through the layers of trauma.
This past Sunday, Sensei Frank Seisho Diaz spoke to us of the small acts of kindness that can make such a difference in people’s lives. I am inviting all of you to write a small message of love and support to Karen and Jeff, then mail it to the church this week. Yes, go ahead and do it now. 😊
Karen Jewell and Jeff Cohen
care/of Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington
2120 North Fee Lane
Bloomington, IN 47401
After we receive these cards, we will bundle them together and try to get our package postmarked around Valentine’s Day. And yes, indeed, I am asking you to spell-out “care/of” in the address. Small acts of kindness.
Peace and Love,
Mary Ann
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Senior Minister
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Emily’s Post
Dear Ones,
Welcome to February! And oh, how sweet a new month feels after the winding omicron labyrinth path of January. It was good to have time to reflect and to set intentions, yet I am so glad it is time to Widen the Circle--which is our congregational theme for February. There are so many ways to do that--from finding ways to safely widen your circle of social connections if you have let it get too small through pandemic times, to coming on over to UU as we re-open, to thinking about how to better care for our whole local community (See info on our Widening the Circle food drives below).
What in you is begging to be thrown wide? Breathe deeply--feel yourself expanding into a new space--a space filled with possibility and with hope.
Hoping to see you soon in our ever widening circles,
Emily
Reverend Emily Manvel Leite
Minister of Story and Ritual
Widening the Circle Food Drives:
This month, we are hoping to widen the circle of people in our congregation who donate non-perishable goods. If you have been giving, please keep on giving as you have been to support our ongoing collections for Beacon and Shalom Center. Click here for the list of needed items.
If you haven't been part of those projects, and find you are able to, please join us for two special collections this month:
* donate to our Widen the Circle collection (for March distribution to local Little Free Pantries)--this week we're collecting cereal and any non-perishable item that is a favorite in your family. Watch the Friday Update for each week's focus item(s)! (Collection at Sunday service and near Portico).
We will be creating a circle of our donations in the Meeting Room each Sunday--help us draw that circle wide and wider still--each week expanding as we work together.
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Message from Michele
Our UU Bloomington community is located between permission giving and the yearning for community. Since the pandemic experience is different for each person, UU Bloomington leadership works to create experiences that provide opportunities to connect to each other and Unitarian Universalism while also respecting each person’s ability and comfort. This is exactly where we should be. And yet, often our experiences come up wanting.
· Maybe you have attended a socially-distantoutdoor event and found out that you are one of only a handful of people who attended.
· Maybe you attended worship hoping that it would bring back that pre-pandemic sense of community only to discover that the smaller number of attendees and the lack of singing left a void.
· Maybe you are unable to attend any gathering because you are consumed with all that needs to be done to keep you and your family safe.
You are not alone. All of our events are designed to respect that each person has different desires and needs. And yet, there is only so much we cannot control. I believe that things will get better. I also relish all of those amazing moments when we have been able to connect. Stay with us, dear ones. What we can do is be present, keep trying and let you know that we love you very much.
Michele Townsend Grove, Interim Religious Education Consultant
Embracing the Interim:
Exploring our Religious Education Identity
In January, folx had the opportunity to gather and tell UU Bloomington Religious education stories. The warmth of this trip down memory-lane built relationships between the generations. In February, everyone has the opportunity to gather and look at today’s UU Bloomington lifespan religious education identity. What does lifespan religious education look like today? What are our religious education core values? How will these core values inform our future? We need you in this conversation. Join one of the following sessions as we continue to discern the next steps of our religious education identity.
Beth Lodge-Rigal, Drew Schrader, Stephanie Kimball and Michele Townsend Grove will serve as facilitators.
Session #1 will be held online Saturday, February 12, 202210:00AM to Noon
Session #2 will be held in person on Sunday, February 27, 2022Noon to 2:00 PM
Adult Religious Education Opportunities
Two Adult learning opportunities are listed below. In addition to these classes, watch for:
· Stuart Yoak’s Unitarian Universalist history class held one weekend this spring.
· Michele Grove’s Back Peddling Through the Principles.
· A possible class which takes a deep dive into one of the Unitarian Universalist principles.
· And a few more in the making.
If you have any questions or would like to suggest future adult religious education offerings, contact interim religious education consultant Michele Grove at grove (at) uubloomington.org.
Adult Religious Education: Drugs, Mind and Society
with Brian O’Donnell
Online, 6 Thursdays, starting February 24
This is a 6-week course meeting on Thursdays from 4:00-5:30 starting on Thursday, Feb 24, 2022
A short orientation will be held on Thursday, February 17th at 4:00 PM
Psychoactive drugs can alter perception, consciousness, alertness and mood. The United States population consumes a vast spectrum of psychoactive drugs, both legal and illicit, recreational and medicinal. This course will examine several psychoactive drugs including psychedelics, cannabis compounds, caffeine and opioids. Topics addressed will include psychological and biological effects, subjective experiences, religious perspectives, medicinal uses, social and criminal policy and addictions.
Class requirements: Readings and other media will be used as background for each class.
This is an online course offering.
Brian O’Donnell is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. He received a B.A. from Oberlin College and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from SUNY Stony Brook. He has investigated the psychology and biology of psychoactive drugs and psychotic disorders for several decades, supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation and Indiana University. Email: bodonnel (at) indiana.edu
Adult Religious Education: Widening the Circle of Concern
Online Sunday evenings from 7-8:30
February 27, March 6, March 27, April 3 and April 24th
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s Commission on Institutional Change researched issues of inclusion and racism within Unitarian Universalist congregations and our denomination, and Widening the Circle of Concern is the resulting report. Join this study group, looking at the first 5 chapters of the study. We will utilize large group and small group discussion as we study and reflect. Then in the fall, another course that looks at the last six chapters will be offered.
We will meet online using zoom video conference.
Facilitators include Martha Oakley, Ruth Aydt, Michele Grove, Rev. Emily Manvel Leite, Stephanie Kimball and more!
Parent Online Coffee Hour:
February 6th at 9:00 AM
Dear Families, Michele would love to connect with you. How are you? How is everyone in your family? What have you been thinking about lately? How do you connect (or wish to connect) with UU Bloomington? Come with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, tea or other favorite beverage, and let us chat. If your children are with you – that is a gift! Family members of all ages are welcome to check in!
Important Note: Come as you are…PJ’s, messy hair, messy house welcome! There is no pretense here!
I look forward to connecting with you,
Michele Grove, interim religious education consultant
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Religious Education Update
Ages 3-13
Parents, please register your children for Spirit Play (ages 3-7) or IMUU (ages 7-13) so we know our staffing needs when we are able to meet in person again. And see our website for information on how kids can engage in the meantime!
Also, note that registration is open for our Shout Mouse Press Book Club, which will meet online, in person, or hybrid, depending on the preferences of those who sign up.
For details, please see the registration page for each event, or contact Stephanie Kimball (kimball (at) uubloomington.org)
Religious Education Coordinator
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Women's Alliance Welcomes Ray and Scott
on Thursday, February 3, 11:30 am
We are in for a treat on Thursday, February 3, when Ray Fellman and Scott Hogsed (but probably not their canine pal Monty, pictured at left with Scott) will regale the Women's Alliance with love songs to help celebrate St. Valentine's Day. Join us on Zoom at 11:30 a.m. for a special program of music! Please contact Doris Wittenburg at dwittenb(at)indiana.edu for the Zoom link.
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COOKIES! COOKIES! COOKIES!
Order Your Cookies Today!
Reproductive Justice "Lead with Love Bake Sale"
Open online until February 5
The UU Reproductive Justice Task Force "Leading with Love" Bake Sale is online this year. Our highly skilled volunteer bakers will be busy at work making an assortment of fabulous treats, just in time for Valentine's Day! This is our major fundraiser, supporting Diaper Drives, Preventing Maternal Mortality, and Abortion Funding. Our Task Force also works in partnership with Planned Parenthood and All Options Pregnancy Resource Center. Each box is an assortment of Valentine decorated cookies, brownies or fruit bars at $10 per box. (medium size box, about 1 lb.)
Fill out the order form above by Saturday, Feb 5 (payment instructions are included there). Pick up your treats at the UU Church Portico on Saturday, Feb 12. Or, we will deliver cookies for a $5 fee.
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Legacy Circle Testimonial --
Your True Home
Someone once said that you are in your true home when you are moved to nurture it. That is how I feel about Bloomington and our UU Church. Tom and I joined just weeks after moving here because we felt immediately at home! The spiritual support, social justice beliefs and actions, and the many friendships all make our church the place we want to be now and want to continue to nurture. That is why we have chosen to leave a percentage of our estate to UUCB. --Michelle McCaffrey
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Are you new to UU Bloomington?
Join us this Sunday, Feb 6, for a short introduction.
If you are new to our congregation, a very warm welcome to you! This Sunday, Feb 6 at 2:00 pm you are invited to join in a brief online introduction to Unitarian Universalism and this congregation. Just click on this link at 2 PM on Sunday. If you have questions, you are always welcome to email me at connect(at)uubloomington.org. Hope to see you online this Sunday! -- Ann LeDuc, Connections Coordinator
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Let's plan to Greet each other in February!
We're hoping that February will bring lower Covid infection rates and we are able to hold in-person church services. If you would be willing to greet at church in February (if we are able to have church in-person) please sign up here. Whether you have been a Greeter in the past, or are looking for a new volunteer opportunity, you are invited to sign up and greet on Sunday mornings. Here are the current duties of Greeters. Questions? email connect (at) uubloomington.org
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Writing as a Spiritual Practice (Season 6)
A Drop-in Group with Rev. Barbara Child
Tuesdays through February 22
You are invited to join me on a journey of personal exploration through autobiographical writing in community on Zoom.
We will meet every Tuesday afternoon 1:00-2:00 p.m.
through February 22.
Even if you took part in one or more sessions during Season 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, you need to register for Season 6 by clicking on the following link:
You need to register only once and can then attend as many Season 6 sessions after that as you choose. You may register up to a few minutes before a session begins.
Here is a description of “Writing as a Spiritual Practice” and what happens in our Zoom room on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00.
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Poetry Group welcomes new members
The Poetry Group led by Linda Pickle meets via Zoom on the first Monday of the month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Next meeting is February 7. Bring a published poem (authored by others, not our own) to read to the group. This often results in lively discussion. New members are always welcome. To receive the Zoom link, send your email address to Linda Pickle (linda.pickle [at] wku.edu).
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UU Online Book Club February 7
The second half of The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrow will be discussed at the February 7 Book Club meeting pm Zoom at 6:30 p.m.. On March 7, The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones will be discussed. If you would like to join the book discussions, sign up here. The UU Online Book Club meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM via Zoom. If you have questions email connect(at)uubloomington.org.
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Join Friends at the Dog Park for a Weekly Meetup
This small group has decided to meet WEEKLY, on Mondays at 3:00 p.m., with or without dogs, at the dog park at Switchyard Park. There is no RSVP required, although you can contact Martha Dogan with questions, (317) 370-3824
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The SING FOR JOY! Community Choir
is ZOOMING again!
Join members of Sing For Joy! as we sing along with presenters every Wednesday in February from 2:45 to 3:45 pm. Heather and Daniel Narducci, Katherine Gorr, and others will be singing about LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! For more information and how to join, click here.
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Helping in the Community:
See Reverend Emily Manvel Leite's Column Above
for the ways we are helping Widen the Circle in caring for our community, including supporting the houseless clients of Shalom Center and helping provide groceries to a local immigrant family recently arrived from Afghanistan.
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Green Sanctuary Task Force Invites You
to View the Film 2040 on February 6
Let’s find hope together! Please join our UU Green Sanctuary Task Force and our friends at Citizens' Climate Lobby Indiana for a virtual evening of hope and community on Sunday, February 6 from 5 - 7 pm as we view the film 2040. Then stick around for an optional facilitated discussion about the film and how we can work together for a more livable world.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today by clicking here!
Watch the film trailer here.
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UU Humanist Forum Meets Sunday, February 6,
12:45 pm
Every other Sunday at 12:45 pm, our UU Humanists meet together online on Zoom for discussion. On February 6, Sandy Dolby will lead a discussion on "How to effectively teach in the public schools subjects, ideas, and information tied to politicized issues?" Email Ann Watzel if you would like to join the discussion.
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UU Freethinkers Meet Sunday, February 13, 12:45 pm
The UU Freethinkers bi-weekly meeting creates the opportunity for participants to raise questions and engage in open and non-structured discussion of issues of social, political, and theological/religious concern. Every other Sunday via Zoom at 12:45 pm. To join, contact Ann Watzel.
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Shambhala Meditation Online on Mondays
Every Monday at noon online, or anytime it's easy, since there are saved sessions, you can join Sarah Flint in this 2500-year-old practice of cultivating peace and inner wisdom. Contact Sarah Flint to join the group in real time. On Facebook at UU Bloomington Meditation.
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Open Mind Zen at Friends Meeting House
Open Mind Zen with UU member Sensei Frank Seisho Diaz meets weekly at the Bloomington Friends Meeting House. If you'd like to participate, visit openmindzenbloomington.org and click on the "Welcome" tab for more information.
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COVID-19 Vaccination News
Vaccines for Ages 5 and Older!
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Your Church Office Staff is Available
by Phone and Email
Here is how to be in touch with the church administrative staff during their office hours as they continue to work from home.
Church Administrator Carol Marks, M-F, 10-4, 812-287-9615, admin (at) uubloomington.org
Office Assistant Monica Overman, T, Th, 10-1, Friday 12:30-3:30, 812-322-5546, office (at) uubloomington.org
Office Assistant Mandy Skinner, M, W, F, 10:30-1:30, 812-340-9981, office (at) uubloomington.org
The land line at the church, 812-332-3695, is checked for messages twice weekly.
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Email SCAM Alert
Our ministers, staff, and board members or other members will never send you email asking you for any money besides your pledge payment!
How to Recognize an Email Phishing Scam:
Is the email impersonating Rev. Macklin or another of our staff or ministers? Are they asking you to purchase gift cards? Wait! Don't do it! We will never send you emails like that. To double check, look at the email address of the sender. Is it from an address at uubloomington.org? If not, that's the second good reason to delete it!
Office Hours, Calendar, Deadlines
Office hours: M-F, 10 am-4 pm.
The Church Office can be reached via text or voicemail during office hours at 812-287-9615. Email: admin (at) uubloomington.org or office (at) uubloomington.org. Since our building is on Restricted Status, staff are working from home.
The Prologue is published on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Next issue is
February 15. Deadline is 10 am on date of publication, admin (at) uubloomington.org
Church Mailing Address:
2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408.
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Details on Membership & Offering
Membership: 561 certified members as of 2/1/2022;
561 current members.
Non-Pledge Offering:
January 16 $106
January 23 $579
To make a contribution for the Non-Pledge Offering (Sunday Plate), or to make a payment towards your pledge, click on this link to get to our new Giving page: uucb.churchcenter.com/giving
Total to be donated (25%) to The Nest childcare center at New Hope Family Shelter: $171.26
Grocery Card Sales: (Bloomingfoods or Fresh Thyme) $200; Total income to UUCB: $10
Free Money from Kroger!
Fresh Thyme and Bloomingfoods
Grocery Cards Available by Mail
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Did you know that Kroger sends us over $1,600 each year? This is made possible by those of you who participate in Kroger's Community Rewards program. Register your Kroger Plus card online at this link.
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We are also still selling grocery cards for Bloomingfoods and Fresh Thyme by mail. Click here to see what kind of cards and how many are available. Send your check to the church (UU Church, 2120 N. Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408) with a note to let us know the type and value of card(s) you want, and we will mail them to you. You do not need to send an envelope.
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Masthead photo by Marcia Hart, "Chilly Day". |
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, IN
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