What began as a gesture of kindness to a small number of people has grown into a highly successful project of the Diocese of Connecticut's evangelism committee. More than 50,000 small wooden crosses have been distributed all over the world during the three years the committee has offered them.

The project began when E. Laird Mortimer 111, of Tariffville, Conn., a member of the evangelism committee, returned from a trip to Israel. "I brought back about 200 little crosses from Bethlehem," he said. "They were gifts for prayer partners, employees, business associates and customers." Many of the recipients asked for additional crosses for family members and friends, and Mr. Mortimer ordered more. Soon the evangelism committee took over distribution of the crosses.

The crosses are made of olive wood by Palestinian Christians and are sold at cost. Alinda Stanley, chair of the evangelism committee, said the project is not a fund-raiser. The committee orders them in batches as it receives orders, and stresses that it takes about 12 weeks for the orders to be received.

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Rowthorn, Bishop of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, ordered 3,000. Bishop Allen Bartlett of Pennsylvania ordered 5,000. One person has placed orders three times; another five have ordered twice.

The evangelism committee sent news releases about the project to national and diocesan newspapers and received more than 270 orders.

"The crosses will be used for a diocesan school of prayer," stated a letter from Missouri.

"We give the wooden crosses to each of our confirmands on the Sunday they are confirmed," said another from Mississippi.

The crosses also have been used in vacation Bible schools, in prison ministry, for Cursillo participants, acolytes, Sunday schools, visitors to parishes and by missionaries.

"As far as I can tell, only a few orders go to non-Episcopalians," Mrs. Stanley said. "It's impossible to tell, but many go to parishes, and many come on church letterheads or make reference to their parish or church.

"Presenting the little wooden cross is a way for Episcopalians to witness Christ's love for the world," she said. "It can be passed on with no comment or it can be given along with a message of love, joy or hope. The cross speaks for itself, but it also allows the giver to detail the message to fit the spiritual needs of the receiver."

Information on ordering is available from Laird Mortimer, P.O. Box 571, Tarriffville CT 06081 until Jan. 15, 1998.