A small white cross made its appearance in my front yard this week.
You may have seen them around and wondered about them. No, I am not marking a burial site of a beloved pet. I am just making a quiet statement.
Last week when I was at Lakeside, Ohio during East Ohio Annual Conference week I asked my sister to pick me up one at the Ministry Fair. I honestly did not know the history behind it but when she got me my cross the paper that came tightly rubber banded around the base of the cross gave me all of the information that I needed.
The White Cross Movement started in Frankenmuth, Michigan in 2008 when a resident of the area complained about two crosses on a bridge. The town agreed to take them down to appease the atheist. Later he attempted to get the cross that was on the city’s shield taken off even though it represented the Lutheran influence that was part of the heritage of the city. As a result hundreds of residents of the city placed small white crosses in their yards to show their support of the cross and its meaning. The resident finally removed his complaint and the crosses remained.
In 2012 Lowell Trimmer who lived in Lancaster, Ohio vacationed in the Frankenmuth area and noticed the crosses. He brought two home to place in his yard and decided to share them with others. His project blossomed and he and his friends from his church made and distributed 34,000 crosses to be displayed in lawns all over the US and other countries. When he was 84 he decided it was time to let others take over the work.
Enter the Willing Workers from Magnolia United Methodist Church in Magnolia, Ohio. The cross project became a movement and crosses are continually being made and distributed to grace lawns all over as a testament to America’s Judeo-Christian heritage . They serve as a simple symbol of the Christian faith. Their motto is “A Small White Cross – Spreading the Word Without Saying a Word”.
As of January 2018 the group has made and distributed over 50,000 crosses of various sizes.
A small white cross makes a statement. It may be a quiet statement but it is a statement of my belief. If you are interested in the White Cross Movement and would like more information or crosses please feel free to email them at mumcwillingworkers@gmail.com. Donations are also welcomed to continue to work. Donations may be sent to MUMC (put Crosses on memo line) 11121 Ambush Rd. NW, Magnolia, OH 44643. If you are interested in following them on Facebook you can click here to go directly to that link.
Thank you to all who have worked tirelessly to create these wonderful symbols of love. The sight of them gives me hope and peace. 
