In order to take some-much needed time off and to allow readers to focus on family and congregation during the Christmas holiday, the Presbyterian News Service (PNS) will be closed, except for breaking news, from Dec. 20-Jan. 2.

A few stories will be posted during the break, but PNS coordinator Jerry Van Marter and reporter Bethany Furkin Daily will not be in their offices at the Presbyterian Center.

Van Marter will be reachable by email and by cell phone at (502) 472-5106. Daily will be reachable by email and by cell phone at (502) 287-7497.

With the close of the year, PNS will have published more than 1,000 stories in 2013.

The Presbyterian News Service thanks readers for their loyalty, support and constructive criticism this year and wishes everyone the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of new years in 2014.

And now, more than ever, pray for peace.