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Nativity Scene Rejected At Manchester Church

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Nov 24, 2009 6:33 am US/Eastern

Nativity Scene Rejected At Manchester Church

Join the Conversation: Nativity Scene Denied

Reporting
Beth Germano

MANCHESTER (WBZ) ―

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It was Caroline Cheshire's Christmas wish for her parish, a live nativity scene that would bring the Christmas story to life after services on Christmas Eve.

But she had no idea she was trampling on the separation between church and state with her idea.

She hoped locals in the town playing Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, even a donkey she had already lined up, would make it a special evening for children at First Parish Church in Manchester.

"We didn't mean to offend anyone. Families who come out of the church are the ones that choose to celebrate Christmas Eve in church," Cheshire tells WBZ-TV.

Her idea was rejected by the board of selectmen in a matter of minutes, because the church sits on the town common.

Susan Thorne, chairman of the board, believes it would open up a Pandora 's Box, and require the town to consider other similar proposals. She believes it's inappropriate to allow a religious display on public land.

But Cheshire says the scene would have lasted only an hour, and believes the argument goes too far. "It's a sad sign of the times. It feels like we're being more exclusionary than inclusive."

Public opinion is mixed with one resident saying, "I see it as a church activity for congregants, but if it was a more permanent display it would infringe on my rights."

Cheshire never thought she'd be the one to open the debate, but she welcomes it, even as she tries to come up with a new idea for the celebration.

"Christmas is about the children, it would have been nice to make it special."

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