Sunday, September 20, 2015

Coherence in the midst of confusion

For three days this past week, September 15-17, I walked Main Street in downtown Rochester. First, I walked west to Susan B. Anthony's house.  Then I walked east to the Eastman Concert Hall.  I saw many remarkable and wonderful sights.  I was struck, however, by a certain choppy quality -- most Main Streets cohere -- this one seems more like a set of beads, loosely strung together.  For example, I saw Civil War-era stores, a monument to transportation, the famous Powers building, the river with its beautiful park, lots of photos of the history of Rochester, the former Woolworth's building, the ticket office for the upcoming Fringe Festival and the Eastman Concert Hall.

It seemed like it should be a great Main Street, but the whole belies the promise of the pieces.  In that state of confusion, I passed a calm-looking young man, standing with a blue paper.  He did not hawk it or intrude: his pose was the offering.  But of what?  Curious, I approached him to ask.  Brother Brian Lee Griffin, chief assistant to Minister Lawrance Lee Evans,Sr., offered me a copy of "Doology Notes in Case Management," aka "Black Coptic Press Release."  He explained upcoming cultural events that I might like to attend.  "Doology" was invented in Rochester by Minister Lawrance, and it teaches that positive action is valued more than just complaining.  Brother Griffin, by adding to the coherence of Main Street, was certainly practicing doology.
Brother Brian Lee Griffin on Main Street.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Dear Mindy Fullilove, thanks for the beautiful portrait and well written article about Rochester's historic Mainstreet. I hope that you enjoyed your visit as well as the Black Koptic Press Release Newsletter and Doology. Hope to stay in contact. Peace and Blessings to you.














































































Unknown said...

Dear Mindy Fullilove my gratitude to the portrait and article about Rochester's historical Mainstreet. I hope that your visit went well and you enjoyed the information in the Black Koptic Press Release Newsletter. Once again thank you and have a blessed and peaceful day. Hope to stay in contact