A recent issue of "The Chimes," newsletter of St. Michael's Cathedral, Boise, Idaho, reprints a note found recently on the floor in the cathedral narthex:

"Dear Church Members: Four years ago I entered your church and took $23.00 from a womans purse. When I was there, someone was playing the organ in the upper level, and people were listening to the beauty of it. I sat in the back pew on the right looking forward. I took the $ from the purse and left. I know it was wrong, and I hope you can find whoever it belonged to. It was on May 1st, 1991. If it can't be claimed, I hope you will donate back to the church. It was a horrible thing to do. Especially in a place of worship where trust is supposed to be plentiful. I'm so sorry, and I hope the money finds its way back to the right hands. Please forgive my stupidity. I'm sorry." The note was unsigned.

To clear up any possible misunderstanding, in this space in the July 23 issue, it was mentioned that former national church treasurer Ellen F. Cooke was moving funds from one account to another as recently as March 3. Those accounts did not belong to the national church.

Headline in the Episcopal New Yorker on the embezzlement story: "Misuse of Money Lands Cooke in Stew."

When the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer held its annual conference in the Bahamas this year, things got a bit hot. Incense used during the Eucharist set off the hotel fire alarm system. A public address system assured hotel guests there was no cause for alarm.

According to Cross Current, the newspaper of the Diocese of East Carolina, St. Peter's Church, Swansboro, N.C., is known as the "Jesus Loves Me" church. It seems that "Jesus Loves Me" is sung every Sunday before the Great Thanksgiving. "It sets a positive tone and gives us all a childlike lightness of heart," said the Rev. John Hagood, rector.

Recent license plate spottings: TLC PT (not owned by a part-time employee of this magazine), EDYD 4U, JN 13 34, ICOR 13, HVF8TH and AGAPE 7. Mother Mary Jean, C.S.M., of Peekskill, N.Y., spotted XAIPE and said the car belongs to two professors of Greek. The Rev. Robert Crafts, Jr., of Indio, Calif., saw UBE HOLY and PROV 31, and the Rev. David Baumann, of Placentia, Calif., submitted PRAYZES, BLESS UZ, HE IS4US, GZUS GAL, and 4 GOD 1ST. Careful behind the wheel, Fr. Baumann.

Note to Mrs. W. in Kansas City: I agree. If the Cookes do flee the country, it will be difficult to bring them back.