A city council member is resigning because officials in her New Jersey town have changed the name of a tree lighting ceremony to include the word "Christmas."
NJ.com reports that Charlene Storey announced her decision just minutes after the Roselle Park council made its decision Thursday night. Her resignation takes effect Jan. 7.
Storey says she regrets having to resign. But she says the town's decision to change the ceremony from "A Tree Lighting" to "A Christmas Tree Lighting" favors one religion and "cuts non-Christians out of the loop."
Storey was raised Catholic but describes herself as a non-believer.
She says Mayor Carl Hokanson mentioned the change several days ago, but says it wasn't listed on the meeting agenda.
Hokanson says each municipality can pick its own title.
