Welcome to Ep.02: “Belonging Exchange Conversations” 

In this second installment of our three-part series introducing the enriching work of the Belonging Exchange, we delve into the conversations and experiences from the Trifling Picnic held in Bloomington, Indiana. Hosted by Phil and Elaine Amerson. This episode (Ep.02) features an illuminating discussion with an eclectic array of guests.

**Event Overview:**

The Trifling Picnic, organized by Phil and Elaine Amerson, brought together individuals from vastly diverse backgrounds and faith-based communities for an afternoon of genuine fellowship and interaction. The event's main focus was to create an environment where people could connect, share their stories, and exchange ideas to foster a sense of community and collective growth. The Belonging Exchange aspires to make everyone feel that they belong and can contribute meaningfully to society.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. **Value of Diverse Communities:**

  The gathering showcased beautifully how bringing together people from different walks of life can lead to meaningful conversations and collaborations. A Bloomington city council member emphasized that diversity, coupled with fearlessness, is crucial for community progress. By sharing various perspectives, participants gained a deeper understanding of communal problems and the potential for collective action.

2. **Music as a Unifying Force:**

  Vince Matthew graced the event with his musical compositions, embodying the spirit of collaboration and harmony. Music, in this context, served as a powerful medium to symbolize and foster unity among the diverse attendees.

3. **Intentional Community Building:**

  The conversations stressed the importance of building intentional communities to address pressing issues like food deserts in urban settings. By aligning love and action, communities can overcome fear and nurture a harmonious environment where everyone thrives.

4. **Importance of Individual Gifts:**

  The guests highlighted how every individual has unique talents and perspectives that can contribute to the greater good. Breaking out of segregated communities to form creative and inclusive networks was discussed as a vital step towards societal betterment. Many guests touched on the need for understanding and leveraging different perspectives to solve community problems effectively.

5. **Impact on Family and City Dynamics:**

  The conversations revealed how events like the Trifling Picnic significantly impact family dynamics and the community at large. The inclusion of missionaries, political candidates, council persons, and long-term residents of Bloomington underscored the multifaceted approach needed to promote holistic community welfare.

**Conclusion:**

The episode is a heartfelt reminder of the power of human connection and the positive ripple effect such gatherings can have on the community. 

listeners are invited explore the work of the Belonging Exchange via their website.

https://belongingexchange.org/

This was episode two of a three part limited series “Belonging Exchange Conversations”

Part 01 was an introduction to the vision that Phil and Elaine Amerson have for the the Belonging Exchange

Please tune into Ep.03 the final part of this limited series as Belonging Exchange Conversations will conclude with interviews with an Indiana University Professor and a Habitat for Humanity Home recipient among others.

Hello, good people. My name is doctor Brad Miller, and you are listening to

the Belonging Exchange Conversations.

Yes. A short series of 3 podcast episodes to

introduce you to the work of the Belonging

Exchange founded by the Phil and Elaine

Angerson Family Foundation, which is all

about helping people meet

new people, discovering friends,

just meeting strangers and making them friends, and

to get people connected, to be encouraged, to learn, to laugh,

to engage, and to meet at least 2 new people

that they didn't know before. The event was

called the trifling picnic held on August 4,

2024 in Bloomington, Indiana. And this is the

second of a 3 part series of podcast episodes of

conversations with the folks who were participants in

the belonging exchange picnic. In this episode,

they include conversations with a missionary, political candidates,

personal friends of Phil and Elaine Ampersand,

pastors and retired pastors, the son and daughter of Phil and

Elaine, the city council person, and a musician,

Vincent Matthew, who composed and performed the music you

hear on this podcast. If you missed episode number

1, we encourage you to go back and listen to that episode as it gives

you a good foundation and understanding of what the belonging

exchange is all about. And then we encourage you to listen to

episode number 3, which will be a continuation

of these conversations. You're gonna enjoy this. You're gonna love this,

and you're gonna learn what it means to be part of a group of

people that belong to one another. So let's get

started.

Tom Heaton from Evansville, Indiana now. Kind of a citizen of the

world sometimes, but Evansville's home. And, again, Phil

and Elaine Amerson have been great friends for many, many years. And,

just here today to to, support them and their efforts

to support the Bloomington community and to encourage all of us to go back

to our own communities and form better friendships and better relationships

with those that are not like us so that we can better understand the world

around us. And those are not like us is a big part of what you've

been about, kind of understanding different cultures, different aspects of

life, and working together in community. What do you think is the

value then of different groups that are here, civic groups, faith

based groups, community services? What's

the value of these different groups coming together to do something good? Well,

you know, I think the biggest thing to, from today I'm kinda looking at Diane

as I'm talking to you to see if she agrees with me. We've

only been here for just a little bit, kind of talking and sharing.

But what we've really been doing is we've been hearing stories. We've been

hearing people's stories. And, it is through hearing people's stories and realizing

everybody's story isn't like our story, that we begin to have a better and

deeper understanding of the world around us. So I think there's power in story

and power in sharing stories, and those can bring about, change in a

powerful and amazing way.

I'm Adrienne Rockhill, and I am,

or ordained elder, a pastor in the United Methodist Church serving at Old

Bethel on the east side. But we live in Bloomington area.

And, you know, honestly, they'll send us an invite, and

I thought this sounds amazing. And when I saw that

Shauna Murphy and Diamon were on the the the list to

speak, I was sold. So I I think it's fantastic. I had

no idea that he does this every year, but it's Yeah. Beautiful. What's up? Let

me ask you first, Adrianne, about some

specific things here, then I'm gonna get get to you just a second here. What

do you think is the value of getting do diverse

groups together, like faith based groups, civic groups,

business interests, and so on, social services, what have

you, in order to do something like just rub shoulders together to do something for

the greater good? What do you think is the the value of that? Well, I

think, when we're advocating for and trying to

promote change, in the church, the way we do that is together,

across all of those different areas that you just mentioned,

in the community, and that's how we work towards that. And I

think sometimes the church gets a little too walled off. And so that's one of

the ways we get outside of our walls. One of the ways we

hear stories. Honestly, one of the ways we

find our place as a church, in that wider

picture is by hearing and and knowing our community. And I think

that's been really eye opening. With him running for

office this year Yeah. Is, that's one of the

things that I've gotten from that is Yeah.

Is all these political but then it's been eye opening to see,

like, just so many good people that are working towards change. Sure.

Well, let's let's talk about that then in terms of the application

of an event like this, getting these diverse groups together. Yeah. How

does it apply then to, civic responsibility,

to the political systems, how there could be some good done moving

forward? And that kinda goes to, you know, why you were running for office

in terms of, doing whatever you think needs to be done. Yeah. Certainly.

So I think the the the common good is the common thread. We're all here

seeking the common good, trying to make life better for everybody in the

spheres of influence that we have. And I think the more we can

synergize in those efforts, I'm running

for office out of the realization that, charity will

never fully fix what policy creates. Charity is not a solution

for injustice, but charity and generosity are always necessary. And the more we can

come together and imagine a better future and share

ideas with people who are different from us, who have different gifts and experiences and

backgrounds and connections, the more we can work together, to serve the

common good. So perhaps charity and policy do not,

policy do not have to be kind of separate or even at odds at

times. They can work together. Absolutely. I tell people, you know,

politics often is treated like a dirty word and I understand why, but I think

politics at its best is the way that we love our neighbor in the public

square. Sure. It comes from the Greek word, you know, that essentially means

life together in the city. And that's how we affect one

another's lives, how our lives intersect, and, at its best can be the

way that everything comes together and we administratively,

enact the the will of the the people. Oh, very good. Thanks for sharing both

of you one more time. Tell us your name, where you're from, and what you

your ministry, and I'll get to you. Absolutely. I'm,

Adrian Rockhill. I am living in Bloomington, serving on

the east side of Indianapolis at Old Bethel United Methodist Church as an ordained

pastor, and, just here to be part of this incredible

group and get to know some new people and hear some stories.

Tell us one more time your name and a little bit about the office

you're running for and what's what's that's all about. Sure. Yeah. So I'm Thomas Horrocks.

I'm a pastor of Beachwood Christian Church down in French Lick, Indiana. I'm

also running for, state representative for House District 62, which

is Monroe and Brown County, one of the most competitive legislative races

in Indiana that's here.

My name is Cindy O'Connor, and I've lived here in Bloomington

for the last almost 48

years, but I grew up near Brad in Gibson

County, a little tiny place named Owensville. Owensville. I'm

originally from Princeton right nearby. So how about that? Small world.

Small world. World. That's true. What brings you here

today, and what do you see as the reason this

event exists? Because of felony lane.

We love felony lane because when they came to the

church, our kids were just at the age

where they loved them as

much as we did. Our kids Tim was in middle school.

Phil said he might never do another class of the

middle schoolers after Tim O'Connor, but he survived.

Both of them did. He survived. So this particular event

we're at today is called the trifling picnic and

belonging exchange. Yeah. You're here

and there's a lot of folks here from different backgrounds, different

social groups and faith communities and

civic organizations. What do you think is the meaningfulness

or the purpose of bringing people together from diverse groups

to do some good for the community? What's Absolutely. And that's what,

you know, I think while Phil was our faith leader

at First Church, those of us who were lucky enough to be

there kinda leaned on him for these kind of

things. And now as we just continue as friends,

I think still Phil Phil and Elaine are leaders for us

in all kinds of social event,

social justice event Right. Kind of things. So do you think

that this is the type of thing that may lead to other types

of it's on educational or Sure. Application.

You know, we've heard about Habitat for Humanity, for instance. Do you think when people

come together with diverse backgrounds, it can help to be applied to the

practical matters that need to be addressed? Oh, I do, Brad. I think

that's really and that's what's so great about being here and being

with friends and people we don't know, but, you know, we leave

as friends.

Drew Amerson, from Oakland, California. I'm the son of

Filmy Lane, and I am here with my son today. We

flew out a couple days ago to be part of this trifling

picnic. Trifling picnic. And what and what's tell us your name, where you're from, and

what you're from. Anne Murray, and I am the daughter of Phil and Elaine. I

am here with my 2 boys, Colin, who's 21, and Zach,

who's 15. We're here to gather

and be with good friends. Yeah. Meet new friends. Tell me

what from your perspective, because it's mentioned as a family

project. It's been mentioned a couple of times that way. Yeah. How do you see

that, playing out, not only your family

dynamic, but how there's impact here in this community and other

communities you've been a part of? Yeah. I think the purpose of

the Belonging Foundation or the the

what do you call it? The Belonging, I'm sorry. Sure. Belonging foundation. Belonging.

Yeah. Is that we need

more human connection these days, and our world with social

media and feeling really disconnected. Having connections

with real people in the flesh and meeting people that you

can make connections with is what is

desperately needed in this event is part of supporting that.

Yeah. And what do you see as the value then of this connection

that your folks, Phil and Elaine, put together and kind of

your legacy? And I know your kids were part of it as well, about some

of them. What do you think is the value of people from all these different

kind of walks of life? You know, politically, socially,

ethnically, civic, faith based? What's the

value of all that coming together to do something for the greater good? Sure. So,

you know, Elaine and Phil dedicated their lives to this idea of

community and been really intentional about trying to

develop that community. And I think this is just a natural extension of that.

But the cool thing about this is my parents have always

been pretty high strung. Is that fair to say?

And I think that in their retirement, they've been able to take a step back.

And this is a really nice easy way to bring in a

whole bunch of different folks who otherwise wouldn't get a chance to know each other

and to build those networks and those connections between these people. So

it's it's really fun to see. Yeah. That's a good one more thing. How is

this why do you think this is meaningful to your family as a

part of just who you are as a family? Yeah. I mean, this is an

an important piece of, what our family

and and what we what we care about. We care about connections. We care

about community. We care about making a better place. We're doing all the good

we can.

My name is Isaac Asari. I'm a city councilor here,

in Bloomington. I'm here because, anytime that, you

know, pastor Emerson invites you to go places, you go.

No. But on the on the serious note, you know, the the

greatest part of this city, are the people in it

and, the opportunity really to connect with people on a human level and

to, think about our boldest ideas for

the future and to work together and in harmony, to

to make the city everything that we imagine it to be, that we want it

to be, to really become the community that we deserve to

be. So I just love those opportunities. So you mentioned a couple of things there,

boldness and harmony on our financing. What do you think is the value

of an event such as this which brings together people with

diverse backgrounds? Might be politically. It might be

religiously. It might be in the business interest, civic,

other, social organizations. What's the value of bringing

those folks together to, kind of rub shoulders together, get to know

one another in order to see what's next, see what's good. What's

the value of that? I mean, you know, the apostle Paul said it this way.

He said we can't all be an eye. He said if we all were an

eye, you know, where would the walking go or where the smelling go and you

you name it. And so for a body to function, and we can think of

our community as a body, if our body is to function, you

need the diversity of parts. Right? Yeah. And, and so if we're

going to move in any direction, you know, it's gonna it's gonna

require working together. And so, you know, I I think it

and that you you you I I did mention though the word boldness. I think

that it takes a element of

fearlessness of of willingness to actually take

steps forward. I think that, you know, fear,

fear of the unknown, fear of, Fear of the other. Fear of the

other. That's right. Fear of just, fear of loss,

fear sometimes even of success, is is something

that often captivates and keeps us from moving forward. But, but

love, which I in my mind is the opposite of fear because Yeah. Perfect

love cast out fear. And so when I think about operating in

love, love liberates, love, you know, love

hopes, love expects, love works together, you name it.

And it's it's you say all those kind of good good stuff. Right. But

those things need an environment Yes. To live in. Yes. And

it takes some and it I'm I believe some intentionality to do

that. Mhmm. And this seems to be the type of event that could

be that environment where some of these things you're mentioning, harmony, love,

boldness, and come together. And perhaps even from

your civic mindedness lead to some other practical application.

Yes. You see that as a possibility at least how something like this can lead

to oh, we've heard about Habitat for Humanity. Other things such as that

practical application of that love of ownership. Yeah. I mean, right

realistically, right now, just before you asked me to be here, I was speaking to

somebody about how do we apply some of the, you know, nice

intentions that we're talking about here Right. In practice in the city. I

think that that sort of

I don't know the best way to say this, but, the information,

the symmetry in in town often makes it very difficult for

us to carry out our good intentions. And what I mean by that is that

we don't always see the every part of the city the same

way, but we have to be intentional about building communities so that we can get

a better picture of the city that we live in so that we can get

a better picture of the actions that we need to take. Yeah. So these diverse

parts working together for a greater good. Well, that's right. That's right. That's right. That's

right. But I mean, I think from the from my perspective on council, I was

just talking to, a neighbor living in Crestmont.

And, you know, we're talking about how through this whole year, nobody has brought

up or body has brought up or done any work about,

the food desert that existed there, and that's been a situation for 20 plus

years. Yeah. And we started to talk about and actually strategize about how do we

make sure that this is on the agenda and stays on the agenda. Sure. You

know, what are actual what are some legislation that we can start to draft and

put forward, to make a difference? And that's just, you know, a very as a

chance Encouraged, we both happen to be here, but in talking about

imagination and talking about building community, that means, okay, like, let's do something

about it. Right? And what's within our sphere of influence? Serendipitous moments can lead

to future self. Yeah. That's exactly right. So but but but this and as much

as we say it's serendipitous, this wasn't this wasn't random. No. I appreciate it.

Intentional. Right? And so so more of this, please.

My name is Ruth. I I live in Bloomington, Indiana, and I am

here because my husband, Vaughn, got an invitation from

Phil to come, and it sounded like a great event. Awesome.

So fill down the blanks there. Your your name and why you're

here, you know, a little more about that. Yeah. So I'm

Vaughn. I grew up here in Bloomington, Indiana. And

I've had the pleasure to work with Phil for the past year

on facilitating the new Beacon Center that we are

building. And Phil has just been amazing to watch

as he reaches out and pulls together the faith based communities

in town to help them figure out what is their role

in bolstering this important community resource that Beacon

provides in helping us transition this new center

over to its, new location over on Third Street. So

it's just been a pleasure to get to know him some and I was honored

to come here today, hear more about watching

him weave the community together and some of the great speakers

telling their story about community engagement. Yeah. Well, it sounds

like what you're working on is kind of a manifestation of some of the vision

that, Phil and Elaine have about taking the

belonging piece and exchanging it for

some sort of a greater good. Am am I on target here at all with

what you're what we're talking about here? I think so, and

I think, definitely since I've

retired and have more time and just trying to find

ways to find belonging in the community

and to I we moved back here in 2011 and

to really make connections and see how

we can make the community stronger. Yeah. So, Von, what do

you think then is the value then of bringing these diverse groups

together for civic groups, faith based,

community organizers, business interests, so so on, to do

something for the greater good. What's the value of bringing it all together in a

kind of a social setting like this? Yeah. Well, I I really like the message

we heard from Shauna this evening about listening.

And we need you know, it's it's easy for

those of us who if if I if I give say I

have the privilege of having a gift, it's so easy to just run out there

with that hammer and start looking for nails. And with all

the different perspectives we have in this room, you know, the problems we're

we're facing today are complicated. They're wish it was

so easy that we could, you know, do them in an afternoon just working by

our selves, but they're not. It's a community problem and we need to understand

all the facets of the problem, all the different aspects of the

challenges that people are going through, and all the different ways that

we bring the different gifts together and we can weave those together to

form a solution. And so a situation like this with

a different perspective is just really valuable for that. Hopefully, it helps to

raise raise the greater good for everybody. Right?

I think so. I definitely think so. And I think as was

emphasized with the musical instruments, we all have gifts. That was pretty cool

one. It was really cool. Yeah. And it was like, which one am I? And,

you know, playing together and the different sounds. And I think,

we do increasingly segregate ourselves and our

communities and think we need to get past that

and and be creative together.

I'm Tony Alstott and, connected to,

Phil and Elaine Amerson, through The United Methodist

Church. And then what do you see and where do you live in

right now? My wife and I came up together. We live

in New Albany, Indiana, and I serve Wesley Chapel United United

Methodist Church. Very good. Well, tell me, what do you think is the value

of an event like this which brings people together from diverse

backgrounds, kind of faith based communities, civic organizations,

other organizations. What's the value of bringing people together to do something good? Yeah. So,

so so Phil has, quite a sense of humor using the word

trifling, a trifling party. Played off,

John Wesley. Let's not trifle about. And,

so, he's invited us several years. We came,

we came several years ago and just found the communication

with people, conversation with people from all over the state of

Indiana, to be to be wonderful,

actually, and, get ideas, see what people are doing,

especially some resources along the way. But but mainly

just just to interact with folks outside of your local

congregation. Do you think there's some values of energy in that that can be used

to do practical application either in ministry or

some ways to improve the community? Well, certainly,

that, involvement is is here to take take ideas

back. I mean, we've already had a a great presentation. I really liked,

the idea of currency being, interaction

and friendships, how that's a currency as opposed to a

monetary currency. And so this is

an opportunity to, gain currency in

relationships. And I don't mean that as in using

people, but just in genuine, genuine fellowship

and friendships. So is it like because the embodiment of the blessed

community kind of a biblical sense, I believe. Do you think it is has

some some bringing of that? Yes. Absolutely.

Coming together and, you know, don't don't feel any

any pressure to be, on display as a lot of

pastors do, so to speak. Anytime I I go somewhere or go out to

eat, I'm always mindful of who might be there. And,

in this community, I feel like you can be completely yourself

and, just have a an enjoyable day

together.

My name is Vince Matthew, and I'm

here because I was invited by Phil and, the

other director, Rick Morgenstern.

And, yeah, that's why I'm here.

They invited me into the space to create something.

Well and you were a part of the music Yes. Here

to create something. Yes. So we

got a little bit of video of that, but I think the vibe in the

room was such I really would like you to unpack that

experience, that musical experience, how it kinda went along with the

theme here of bringing diverse

folks together to collaborate in something new. Can you just unpack it a

little bit for us? Sure. So when I heard about,

asset based community development, that's how it was in it

was a position to me, by Phil.

I was all in. It just it really

made me think about everyone brings the

best of their own abilities, to the community.

And when people are recognized for that and they come

together, you can really create something extraordinary.

And so I was tasked to come up with,

well, what would that actually be like? What would that sound like? And

so what I, I did was about 4 or 5 months ago,

start curating these ideas. And then the ideas then

became materialized through what instruments. And, the

instruments that we chose today, quite frankly,

are, are children's instruments, hand bells, resonator bells, whistles,

and, triangles and shakers. And so what

we did was we invited, each attendee

to choose one of those instruments based on their

personality. And so

when they showed up together, it created this harmonious

tone in the room. So It was pretty awesome. It it

really was. Appreciate it because I knew that took a lot of effort

and thoughtfulness and musical ability, to to do

that. So that was really cool. Let's connect that then

to what is kind of the overall purpose of this organization

Mhmm. Belonging exchange. People to belong together and exchange

ideas and thoughts. Right. What do you think is the purpose of this organization

and bringing different folks together to do something good. What

is the value of that moving forward?

For some reason, this analogy keeps come popping up into my mind. If

all the doctors were to congregate in one place,

no one would get healed. No one would get healing.

And so it requires everyone's input.

And I think everyone brings a different, gift to the

community. And when they bring those gifts or what

they're saying is assets, then we can all create

something that that is unlike anything that we've ever experienced.

So there'd be some dynamic aspect to community. The

collaboration can create some energy moving

forward that maybe serve the greater good in ways we don't even know yet. That's

right. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. And that's really that's the tone

that we're experiencing throughout in the room in those segments

really represents that harmony. It's a harmonious cooperation. I've heard that harmonious

cooperation. I've heard that term harmony or harmonious Mhmm. From several people here today, and

you being a musician. There's some value when different tones come together

to cause harmony. Is there not? That's right.

Yeah. Sometimes

when things are just one note, it's just one

it's just one note. Yeah. Right? I can't even explain that correctly. But

That seems that it didn't get isolationism, perhaps. It could be a metaphor

there. Yeah. Yeah. And so, I found

that what could we do by different

people coming together and bringing those gifts together.

And so everyone chose an instrument based on their personality.

When we when we played it together, it created this tone in

What a beautiful way to conclude this episode

of the Belonging Exchange launch through the trifling picnic.

That beautiful way is through the music of Vincent Matthew, who composed

the music that we, and the songs that were part of the trifling

picnic, including the music that we used to to be

a break between the audio segments, the interviews. We

certainly thank all the people who are part of the interviews. We will

put in our show notes this, on this podcast

all the links to we have to the Belonging

Exchange website, belonging exchange.org.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Belonging

Exchange launch at the trifling picnic presented by the

Phil and Elaine Amerson Foundation. This was episode

2 of 3. If you missed episode 1, we invite you to go back and

listen to that episode, which gives a great introduction to the work of the

belonging exchange. And please look forward to listening to

episode number 3 where we will have interviews with an Indiana

University College professor, a community organizer,

housing authority officials, and a Habitat for Humanity

family. Until next time, this is Brad Miller speaking

for the creators of The Belonging Exchange,

Phil and Elaine Aberson, in the sure and perfect

knowledge that indeed we do belong and are

better together.