An unusual act of faith

Elia Powers

“Dear Jesus,” the letter began.

Those words caught the attention of the Rev. Cindy Voorhees when

she found the letter atop a dilapidated brown violin case resting

before the altar at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church in

Corona del Mar.

Her first thought was that a child had forgotten the instrument

after music lessons, which take place in a nearby room. But then she

saw the handwritten note, penned in near-perfect cursive.

“As you know I have nothing more than this old fiddle,” the note

continued. “I have thought it through and decided that you will find

a much needed place for this. Your father has asked me to bring it

here and so I have.”

A former violin player, Voorhees opened the case and saw the

stringless instrument nestled in blue felt padding.

“I thought it was an act of faith,” Voorhees said. “It’s inspiring

that the person is saying ‘I’ll give you everything I have.’”

Since finding the violin and letter at the altar on Feb. 4,

Voorhees and St. Michael’s Rector, the Rev. Peter Haynes, have

learned little about the instrument, which an identification tag

inside the case eventually revealed as a 1954 student violin sold at

Westwood Music in West Los Angeles. The letter and its author

continue to enthrall them.

“Please take care that it will bring to wherever or whomever the

blessing I have faith in. I have nothing else to give. Please allow

the Pastor to say a prayer for I am homeless and have no family.”

Haynes hasn’t mentioned the letter in a sermon, but he wrote about

the incident in the church’s March newsletter. For today’s Easter

service, Haynes said he is considering bringing the violin back to

its original spot on the altar for congregants to view.

Haynes said there is no indication that the person who left the

violin has any relation to a church member. Because of the legible

handwriting, he speculated it might be a woman.

But Haynes said his best guess is that it’s an anonymous person

reaching out for help.

“I think it’s a person who saw the church, knew it had to do with

Jesus and left it here,” he said. “But it could be someone I’ve

talked to in the past.

“This is the first time anything this dramatic has happened,” he

added. “I can never recall so poignant and well-written a note.”

And few Newport Beach clergy and church members could recall such

a striking donation, either.

Karen Bro, communications director for St. James Episcopal Church,

said a silk Persian carpet was donated anonymously about five years

ago.

The Rev. Dennis Short of Harbor Christian Church said he has

received clothing from donors and letters from prisoners in the past.

“But certainly nothing this ominous,” he said.

“It’s an anomaly, especially being something that nice,” said

Short, who listened as Haynes explained the situation during a recent

meeting of Newport Beach church leaders. “It’s certainly a lonely

person who is writing.”

Haynes said some congregants made the story the centerpiece of

their Lent, a time when many consider giving up a physical

possession.

Congregant Ruth Poole, a Newport Beach resident, said she has

contemplated the significance of the note and gift.

“It leads to prayers for those who are homeless or lonely and in

need,” she said. “It was a tremendous act of love.”

Haynes said church congregants are curious to know who penned the

letter. Some have approached him with their theories, but no one has

anything more than a guess.

Haynes is craving real information.

He wants to determine what brought the donor to this point. He

wants to learn of the person’s identity and think of ways he can

help.

He wants to know what time the violin was left and why his church

was chosen among the four that sit on the same small suburban block.

He wonders if the person looked toward the ceiling and saw the

suspended wooden cross overhead as the fiddle hit the floor. Did the

person walk down the altar steps, stroll down the aisle and stare at

the stained glass windows illuminated by the sunlight?

Did he look straight ahead and read the hymn that is written on

glass panels? And was the message absorbed?

“All things bright and beautiful,” the hymn begins. “All creatures

great and small. All things wise and wonderful. The Lord God made

them all.”

But for now, the letter is Haynes’ only clue. “I am afraid but too

proud to ask for help,” the letter concludes. “I cannot bring myself

to be so humble. Perhaps you are not finished with me. I also ask

that you direct the preacher of this church to pray for my mother who

is in your hands and ask that she be let known that I love her and

miss her more than I can express.

“Thank you Jesus, you know who.”

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at elia.powers@

latimes.com.