Belonging Exchange is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and belonging. Our mission is to strengthen civic relationships and celebrate the gifts of neighbors through community events and initiatives.
The Belonging Exchange aims to provide opportunities for fostering gratitude, joy, and constructive civic relationships through community events and activities.
Biographies for Philip & Elaine Amerson
Phil and Elaine Amerson live in Bloomington, Indiana where they enjoy work the multiple educational and cultural opportunities of the city, especially those offered by Indiana University. They each are active in several community activities from addressing issues of low-income housing, public safety, encouraging civic and faith community involvement.
In 2024 they launched The Belonging Exchange a family foundation designed to strengthen trusting relationships and civic engagement within neighborhoods and communities. Through festivals, research and teaching, scholarships, storytelling, theological and civic reflection, music, written and visual arts, and retreats, the mission of the Belonging Exchange is to strengthen the community-connective-tissue among citizens within neighborhoods, faith groups, and beyond.
As persons of faith, Phil and Elaine believe congregations are crucial seedbeds for shaping core values of a society – always in coordination with the wider community. This Belonging Exchange mission is a natural extension of an annual “Trifling Picnic” which since 2014 has brought together a wide array of persons to renew friendships, make new friends, sing, eat, laugh, tell stories, and relax.
Phil and Elaine have held significant leadership roles in their professional lives. Elaine is currently the Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the Monroe County Housing Authority. Previously she was president of the Evansville-Vanderburg School Corporation board (1980-85). Phil is president emeritus of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary having led the school from 2006-2014. Previously he led the Claremont School of Theology (2000-2006). They taught at Instituto Pan Americano in the Republic of Panama (1969-70); were on faculty at Candler School of Theology and founding members of Patchwork Ministries in Evansville, (1977 to 1986).
Elaine received an Ed.D. in Rhetoric from the University of Kentucky (1974) and has served in teaching and administrative roles in multiple institutions of higher education. Phil received his Ph. D. from Emory University (1976) in the Social-Scientific Study of Religion. He has published widely on peace building, community development, congregational leadership, and urban ministry. He continues to post frequently at philipamerson.com.
Their immediate family include daughter Lydia Murray and her husband, Tom, who live in Chicago. Son, Andrew, and his spouse Erin, reside in Oakland, California. The best part of their lives these days revolves around four grandchildren, Gus and Eleanor in Oakland, California, and Colin and Zack in Chicago.