Getting to Know Our Neighbor

Back in July, I attended a community event held in Stillwater that offered gift cards, haircuts, food/supplies, and 1x1 time with social workers and care providers.

I was blown away by the variety of help provided to give someone or a family a boost. When I tell people about that experience, I’ve heard that those facing poverty need to “get a job” or stop wasting “our money.” In my interactions with underserved neighbors, their situation is rarely a case of gaming the system.

I wonder why we’re wired to be so skeptical of our neighbor. Not every program is rife with corruption.

Is part of this bias due to a lack of getting to know our neighbor? Have we lost the art of relationship? I wonder if the best way for faith groups to respond right now is to provide space for personal connections.

Due to the geography of Washington County stretching down to Cottage Grove and out to Stillwater, the footprint for local government resources is vast. Those in the Forest Lake area who would benefit from a slight boost have limited access due to the transportation gaps.

The legitimacy of those government resources is currently under intense scrutiny in our county. Wide and deep cuts are causing intense anxiety and the potential for significant unemployment.   

Many of our neighbors, family members, or maybe even you are nervous about what’s next. Will you be adversely affected by the sudden disappearance of a service or resource that provided stability?

I don’t know what the outcomes will be. I believe that the local church will need to play a vital role in providing aid and response. We can be the connector. 

 On March 6^th, Faith Lutheran is hosting a Community Resources Fair from 9 am to 1 pm. We won’t ask for identification, and we aren’t seeking proof that someone is in need. Faith is hosting this because this is what it means to be a good neighbor.

And your neighbors want to be there: Washington County and Chisago County, Community Helping Hands and Family Pathways, Head Start and the library, health care vendors and legal advice, and many more with many items to take home, including a $25 gift card to adults.

The quantity of volunteers raising their hands to help shows me that people are craving the opportunity to do something right now to help. We see a need and are responding as our faith empowers us.

The event is scheduled during the Forest Lake Schools spring break so that families in need are encouraged to bring their children for crafts, games, and a warm meal. The event is also the day after Ash Wednesday, an important religious holy day that begins the season of Lent. We enter the 40 days of preparation and anticipation of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus.

I am hopeful that the beginning of this season will be a symbol of new life and rebirth, too, as we take an important role in caring for our community. If you would like to stop in and say hello, you’re welcome. If you know someone who would benefit from a little bit of help or a nudge towards resources, invite them. There are no strings attached and we hope that this event can pave the way for essential connections into the future.   

Pastor John Klawiter is the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Forest Lake. For more information, email him at