Written by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer, Upstream Executive Director

It has been a profoundly challenging time in Minnesota. Over the past few weeks, Renee Good and Alex Pretti have been killed. I don’t know how many have been detained. So many people are living in fear. Tens of thousands are protesting. But it is in these extremely difficult moments that Minnesotans are stepping up and coming together to care for one another. I hear story after story of Minnesotans caring for their neighbors. I don’t know what else to call it, so I’ll call it neighbors loving neighbors.

I spent many years working with Lutheran and Episcopal congregations, and I attended Luther Seminary from 2005-2007. I have often asked what it means to love my neighbor. As I pondered that again over the past few days, I decided to share a bit of how I understand Upstream’s work in light of my faith. Upstream is a very much a secular organization, so the following is how I view this work and mission as a person of faith, not the opinion of the organization.

I see the core work of Upstream as loving our neighbors and caring for God’s creation. This framework is helpful for me as I seek to lead and carry out Upstream’s mission. I view Upstream’s work as that of restoration and reconciliation. Restoring creation (natural places) and reconciling relationships (building trust and connection among neighbors). Trust and connection are in short supply right now. We see evidence of this all around us at a national level. However, in Minnesota, we are seeing something different. People are coming together, supporting one another, caring for each other during extremely difficult times. Minnesotans are proud of who we are and where we are from.

Upstream is attempting to create a big tent, where many people from many experiences and beliefs can care for each other and this place we love. This big tent includes political beliefs! Upstream is explicitly nonpartisan and so it is uniquely positioned to gather people from very different backgrounds and world views. This is long-term and vital work.

I heard the word “neighborism” the other day. It essentially means you take care of your neighbor no matter who they are. It also takes an expansive view of who my neighbor might be. I like that. We need to be good neighbors in this time and in all times. I think it is only when we take care of each other that we can truly care for the natural places all around us.

What stories of “neighborism’ have you been a part of or witnessed?

I am so proud of Minnesotans. I am proud to be a Minnesotan. We love this place, and we are coming together to love one another. Let’s continue to show up for each other each day. Our tagline at Upstream Minnesota is loving where we live, and (I might add, if only in my heart) loving our neighbor.

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