DaVinci's is back at Boo at the Zoo -- and so are its Bible-based stories.

Last year, daVinci's and its partners, Champions and First Evangelical Covenant Church, pulled out of the annual community trick or treat when the Lincoln Children's Zoo asked that a verse referring to the story of Noah's Ark be removed from Boo at the Zoo handouts.

This year, the zoo refined the human diversity policy that triggered the controversy, and it personally invited the businesses and church back.

"We reached out to daVinci's and welcomed them back," said John Chapo, zoo executive director.

DaVinci's owner Kelly Knudson said the company took them up on the offer.

"DaVinci's has always been a supporter of zoo, and we are happy to be back," Knudson said, noting that last year was the only year the restaurant chain was not part of Boo at the Zoo, which started in 1977.

First Evangelical Covenant Church opted not to return but focus outreach efforts in its Eastridge neighborhood with a "trunk or treat" in its parking lot, said Susie Carlson, co-coordinator of the event.

So, daVinci's teamed up with Christ's Place Church to run a zoo booth with a circus theme. Costumed characters and fliers depict the biblical stories of Jonah and the whale and Daniel and the lions' den.

Last year's controversy began just weeks before Halloween, when the zoo told daVinci's its new human diversity policy prohibited the use of religious verses and references in an effort to reflect a commitment to the cultural diversity of Lincoln.

DaVinci's and First Evangelical were asked to remove the story of Noah's Ark from the back of coupons to be handed out.

At the time, Knudson noted biblical verses had been part of its Boo at the Zoo handouts for at least 15 years, with no complaints.

The zoo board and its staff reviewed and revised the policy for 2009, Chapo said.

It now states all Boo at the Zoo events, displays and materials must be family-and child-appropriate and friendly, Chapo said.

Boo at the Zoo is the zoo's biggest fundraiser. Proceeds go to feed the zoo's animals during the winter months.

Reach Erin Andersen at 473-7217 or eandersen@journalstar.com.