Assist the people of falkreath?

I think the priest is just one possible way of completing the thane of Falkreath quest, simply handing in harvested food to mathius (sp?) at the farm is another, giving the jarl blackbriar mead is another and helping with firewood at the half moon mill is yet another. Also doing the 2 daedric, (Hircine and Clavicis Vile) quests contribute as you're helping Falkreath residents which should count towards your 3/3 required. The jarl is meant to give you a quest to kill some local bandits but between him and the steward you should get the land offer.