2024 Belonging Exchange Trifling Picnic

Join us along with special guests: The remarkable Ken Medema will offer music that weaves us together through familiar oldies and his new improvisations. DeAmon Harges and Seana Murphy will share stories of hope and renewal, emphasizing the importance of community and appreciating the gifts of our neighbors. Throughout the afternoon, we will discover, celebrate, and renew friendships. We will sing, eat, laugh, tell stories, and relax… some may even decide to dance!

Registration is limited. We will save a place for you if you let us know at your earliest convenience if you plan to attend. Please let us know and plan to come with your family, spouse, partner, or friend. If you have questions or seek more information, you can learn more by emailing phil@belongingexchange.org.

Schedule of Events:

• Music and Storytelling: 4:00 PM
• Meal: 5:30 PM

Barbecue and a vegetarian dish will be provided, along with beverages and snacks. If you wish to bring a “pitch-in” dish of your choosing, that would be great, but not necessary. This is a family-friendly gathering with a great playground nearby for children and great-grandparents. The Pavilion has plenty of parking off Rogers Street.

Brief Bios

DeAmon Harges

De’Amon Harges is a renowned faith-based community organizer and speaker from Indianapolis, Indiana. Known as the “Roving Listener,” Harges excels in discovering and harnessing the strengths, passions, and dreams of his community to enhance the quality of life for its residents. His work embodies a theology of connecting neighbors, building community, and influencing public policy.

A faculty member at the Asset Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University and a founder of the Learning Tree, Harges utilizes ABCD principles to foster community growth. He is also actively involved as a layperson at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis.

Harges is a social innovator recognized by the Kettering Foundation and is featured in the documentary “The Antidote: On Kindness in America.” He is a TEDx speaker, artist, poet, and a strong advocate for using social capital to drive community change. At Invested Faith, Harges joins a group of social entrepreneurs motivated by faith to transform their communities through innovative, socially responsible businesses.

For more information, visit https://www.investedfaith.org/news/introducing-deamon-harges

Seana Murphy

As Senior Director of Indiana Learns, Murphy is responsible for leading the creation, management, and success of Indiana Learns. An experienced education leader, Murphy manages all aspects of the program, including connecting with schools and districts, managing learning partner vendors, and ensuring Indiana Learns is accessible to as many families as possible. 

Before this role, Murphy was Vice President Operations of Early Learning Indiana. She also brings previous experience as the Director of Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program and in multiple higher-education positions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Depauw University and a master’s in theological studies from Christian Theological Seminary.

For more information, visit https://www.themindtrust.org/staff/seana-murphy/

Ken Medema

Ken Medema is a remarkable musician and composer who has been visually impaired since birth. Despite his blindness, he has become one of the most creative and authentic artists today. With a passion for social justice, Ken uses his music to create conversations through storytelling and reflection. He customizes his performances to suit various occasions, making each event unique. Over his five-decade career, Ken has performed globally, touching audiences with his vocal and piano artistry. 

For more information, visit Ken Medema’s website.