CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) -- There'll be no blessed cookies and pies at the Chippewa County Courthouse.

The Zion United Methodist Church had to move its bake sale from the courthouse after the county's legal team said it would violate the separation of church and state.

County Administrator Bill Reynolds said he has explained the county's decision to the church's pastor and sent the church flowers.

"I'm not anti-bake sale; unfortunately, it's one of those calls I had to make," Reynolds said. "I feel like the 'Grinch Who Stole Christmas,' but it's my job."

The courthouse had approved the bake sale about six months ago, Pastor Ann Scott said. The church held it at its building instead, but the turnout was smaller than would have been expected at the courthouse, she said.

Steve Scott, a spokesman for the church, said the decision involved miscommunication.

"People wield the phrase (separation of church and state) with a hammer, and it's just not that cut and dried," he said.

Reynolds said the county will create a policy on bake sales and send it to the county attorney for review.

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Information from: Leader-Telegram, http://www.leadertelegram.com/

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)