Storey, who was raised Catholic but describes herself as a non-believer, said the town’s decision to change the ceremony’s name from “A Tree Lighting” to “A Christmas Tree Lighting” favors one religion and “cuts non-Christians out of the loop.”

When she handed in her resignation, Storey said she regretted her decision but called the issue a matter of principle.

“I cannot in good conscience continue to be part of a council that is exclusionary or to work with a mayor who is such,” Storey said in her resignation letter. After rescinding her resignation, Storey said she still disagreed with the renaming and would not attend the event, according to NJ.com.