Religion briefly

United Methodist Church presents "The Road to Bethlehem" drive-through living nativity 6:30-8 p.m. Friday-Dec. 9 at Division and Musser streets.

For information, call 882-1436.

Eckankar meets Dec. 15

An Eckankar worship service will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St. The cost is free.

During the one-hour service, a skilled facilitator will give a brief talk, followed by readings, a small-group discussion and a short contemplation.

For information, visit www.eck-nevada.org or call 246-4446.

Quartet to perform

The AV7 Quartet will perform a concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the First Christian Church, 2211 Mouton Dr.

45th annual Advent Tea slated for Dec. 9

Women of all ages are invited to attend the Bethany Circle of Bethlehem Lutheran Church 45th annual Advent Tea from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 9.

The uplifting celebration has chosen angels as this year's theme, which will be held in Luther Hall, 1837 Mountain St. (at the rear of the church).

Join the group for Christian fellowship, tea and cookies.

For information, call the church office at 882-5252.

Compromise keeps Christmas symbols on city-owned property

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - City Council members rejected a proposal to create a strictly secular, multicultural display of the holiday season starting next year, choosing instead to stick with Christmas trees and wreaths.

Seeking compromise in yet another battle over religious holiday symbols on public property, the council voted 6-1 to allow colored lights and Christmas trees and wreaths on the exterior of city buildings and other city property.

But inside buildings, only secular displays and messages will be allowed.

Religious and cultural symbols will be allowed at locations other than a city-owned museum but only if part of a larger, educational piece of artwork.

A task force representing religious groups, businesses and community organizations had recommended strictly white lights, bare garlands and secular symbols such as snowflakes be hung on city property. The group reasoned that colored lights and ornamented trees suggested a religious theme. The council rejected that view.