Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council - The “Citation of Distinction” of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council is conferred annually upon individuals who are recognized as leaders within the community for exemplifying the high ideals of human dignity, compassion, and friendship for all people. The 2016 recipient of the Citation of Distinction is Rev. Ann Marie Acacio. Rev. Ann Marie Acacio was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre; graduated from Coughlin High School on the National Honor Society (Class of 1959), and from Wilkes-Barre Business College (1960) with a business certification. She and her husband Bob married in August 1963 and raised 3 children, before she continued her spiritual studies. Ann Marie graduated from the Advanced Training program in Unity School of Christianity in 1982 and was licensed as a teacher of metaphysical studies by Unity Worldwide Ministries in 1983. Prior to taking classes with Unity, Rev. Ann Marie found a spiritual home at Unity of Lehigh Valley in Allentown in 1978 and, together with her husband Bob and other interested Unity friends, she began the first Unity ministry in NE PA in Sept. 1979. She served as Center Leader until Unity ministers were hired to serve the ministry in 1982 and again in 1983; however, it was in the divine plan for Ann Marie to go further with her studies and be accepted into the newly-created Field Licensing and Ordination Program in Unity in 1992. The Program was designed for Licensed Teachers who were already functioning in the capacity of a minister yet were unable to leave the ministry for 2 years to attend seminary. It is a 4-year Program, leading to Ordination, and offers individuals the benefits of seminary training in a concentrated arena, being licensed at Unity Village after the third year and ordained after the 4th year in the ordinand’s home church. Ann Marie’s Ordination Ceremony was held at the Dorranceton U.M. Church, where Unity Services and classes first began, with many area clergy in the processional! Ann Marie served the Wilkes-Barre ministry until retiring in 2006. Concurrently, she served part-time at Unity in the Southern Tier, retiring last July. She also served part-time for 3 years at Unity in Harrisburg, and has been invited to guest-speak at many Unity and other churches in the Region. While in active ministry, she served on the board of Unity Worldwide Ministries, Eastern Region, for 10 years, serving four years as president, and also served with the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Ministeriuim until her retirement. Ann Marie was an active member of the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Club for 15 years, serving in various capacities in the club, including chaplain at the weekly meetings. She has enjoyed reading to children in the Head Start Program through facilitating the Kiwanis Early Learning Program for several years, coordinating the Rev. Jule Ayers Awards Program (and being a recipient of the Award in 2015), coordinating the annual Poinsettia fundraiser, and providing piano accompaniment for the Christmas caroling at the Senior High-rise Tree Trims each December. Ann Marie is a graduate of the Academy for Coaching Excellence in Sacramento, CA and is certified as a personal and group coach. She has worked with clients for over 10 years through her business S.M.A.R.T. Steps Coaching. She also officiates at wedding ceremonies through her business Life Celebrations Today and is blessed to serve couples of various faiths and sexual orientation. Ann Marie has served in prison ministry for the past 30+ years and conducted Chapel Services at Heritage House (now St. Luke’s Villa) for nearly 25 years, and more recently at Timber Ridge. Her passion has always been Interfaith work and bringing people together! Ann Marie served on the Steering Committee of The Peace and Justice Center for over 2 years and continues to be an active supporter. She also served for several years with the Diversity Institute at College Misericordia, facilitated coaching groups at Domestic Violence and Candy’s Place, offering life skills to empower individuals to rise above adversity. Ann Marie conducted seminars for the Non-violent juvenile offenders program, also conducting workshops for several years for area high school students through a day-long program sponsored by the District Attorney’s office. She served on C.I.F.A. – Community of Inter-Faith Action and has been a member of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council for the past 15 years, having served as president for 6 years. It continues to be her joy to now be affiliated with Unity in The Villages, FL, and she is looking forward to becoming active in Interfaith activities in central FL. Ann Marie and her husband Bob recently celebrated 53 years of marriage and enjoy their time with their 3 adult children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She considers herself most blessed and very grateful! For more information, please call (570) 650-1223 You may also copy and print the form below and mail it with your check to:Dave Jenkins19 Halliday CourtHanover Township, PA 18706 Reverend Ann Marie Acacio pioneered the first Unity ministry in NEPA in September 1979 and served the ministry until her retirement in December 2006. She has been active with the Diversity Institute at Misericordia University, C.I.F.A. (Community of Inter-faith Action), Kiwanis Club of Wilkes-Barre, Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council (serving 6 years as president,) Eastern Region Unity Worldwide Ministries board (serving 4 years as president.) Ann Marie has facilitated coaching groups at Domestic Violence, Candy’s Place, Non-violent juvenile offenders program, and has served in prison ministry for over 30 years. Ann Marie and her husband Bob have been married for 53 years, have three adult children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She and Bob are looking forward to moving to their new home in The Villages, FL in November. THE WYOMING VALLEY INTERFAITH COUNCILCordially invites you to attend theCommunity Interfaith LuncheonMonday, November 7, 2016 at 12:00 NoonThe Woodlands Inn and Resort1073 PA 315, Wilkes-BarreCitation of Distinction for Community Leadershipwill be conferred upon REVEREND ANN MARIE ACACIO Community Interfaith LuncheonName: ____________________________________________(Please Print)Please make ______ reservations (at $25.00 per person)____ Chicken Cutlet Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta____ Seafood Encrusted Filet of Sole____ Stuffed Portobello MushroomMonday, November 7, 2016 at 12:00 NoonThe Woodlands Inn and Resort1073 PA 315, Wilkes-Barre(For dietary restrictions, please contact The Woodlands)I am happy to include an optional gift of $_____in honor of Rev. Ann Marie Acacioto further the activities of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith CouncilMy check payable to “Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council” (W.V.I.C.)in the sum of $___________ is enclosed.R.S.V.P. by October 28, 2016

The “Citation of Distinction” of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council is conferred annually upon individuals who are recognized as leaders within the community for exemplifying the high ideals of human dignity, compassion, and friendship for all people.

The 2016 recipient of the Citation of Distinction is Rev. Ann Marie Acacio.

Rev. Ann Marie Acacio

Rev. Ann Marie Acacio was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre; graduated from Coughlin High School on the National Honor Society (Class of 1959), and from Wilkes-Barre Business College (1960) with a business certification. She and her husband Bob married in August 1963 and raised 3 children, before she continued her spiritual studies. Ann Marie graduated from the Advanced Training program in Unity School of Christianity in 1982 and was licensed as a teacher of metaphysical studies by Unity Worldwide Ministries in 1983.

Prior to taking classes with Unity, Rev. Ann Marie found a spiritual home at Unity of Lehigh Valley in Allentown in 1978 and, together with her husband Bob and other interested Unity friends, she began the first Unity ministry in NE PA in Sept. 1979.

She served as Center Leader until Unity ministers were hired to serve the ministry in 1982 and again in 1983; however, it was in the divine plan for Ann Marie to go further with her studies and be accepted into the newly-created Field Licensing and Ordination Program in Unity in 1992. The Program was designed for Licensed Teachers who were already functioning in the capacity of a minister yet were unable to leave the ministry for 2 years to attend seminary. It is a 4-year Program, leading to Ordination, and offers individuals the benefits of seminary training in a concentrated arena, being licensed at Unity Village after the third year and ordained after the 4^th year in the ordinand’s home church.

Ann Marie’s Ordination Ceremony was held at the Dorranceton U.M. Church, where Unity Services and classes first began, with many area clergy in the processional! Ann Marie served the Wilkes-Barre ministry until retiring in 2006. Concurrently, she served part-time at Unity in the Southern Tier, retiring last July. She also served part-time for 3 years at Unity in Harrisburg, and has been invited to guest-speak at many Unity and other churches in the Region.

While in active ministry, she served on the board of Unity Worldwide Ministries, Eastern Region, for 10 years, serving four years as president, and also served with the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Ministeriuim until her retirement.

Ann Marie was an active member of the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Club for 15 years, serving in various capacities in the club, including chaplain at the weekly meetings. She has enjoyed reading to children in the Head Start Program through facilitating the Kiwanis Early Learning Program for several years, coordinating the Rev. Jule Ayers Awards Program (and being a recipient of the Award in 2015), coordinating the annual Poinsettia fundraiser, and providing piano accompaniment for the Christmas caroling at the Senior High-rise Tree Trims each December.

Ann Marie is a graduate of the Academy for Coaching Excellence in Sacramento, CA and is certified as a personal and group coach. She has worked with clients for over 10 years through her business S.M.A.R.T. Steps Coaching. She also officiates at wedding ceremonies through her business Life Celebrations Today and is blessed to serve couples of various faiths and sexual orientation.

Ann Marie has served in prison ministry for the past 30+ years and conducted Chapel Services at Heritage House (now St. Luke’s Villa) for nearly 25 years, and more recently at Timber Ridge.

Her passion has always been Interfaith work and bringing people together! Ann Marie served on the Steering Committee of The Peace and Justice Center for over 2 years and continues to be an active supporter.

She also served for several years with the Diversity Institute at College Misericordia, facilitated coaching groups at Domestic Violence and Candy’s Place, offering life skills to empower individuals to rise above adversity. Ann Marie conducted seminars for the Non-violent juvenile offenders program, also conducting workshops for several years for area high school students through a day-long program sponsored by the District Attorney’s office.

She served on C.I.F.A. – Community of Inter-Faith Action and has been a member of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council for the past 15 years, having served as president for 6 years. It continues to be her joy to now be affiliated with Unity in The Villages, FL, and she is looking forward to becoming active in Interfaith activities in central FL.

Ann Marie and her husband Bob recently celebrated 53 years of marriage and enjoy their time with their 3 adult children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She considers herself most blessed and very grateful!

For more information, please call (570) 650-1223

You may also copy and print the form below and mail it with your check to:

Dave Jenkins

19 Halliday Court

Hanover Township, PA 18706

Reverend Ann Marie Acacio pioneered the first Unity ministry in NEPA in September 1979 and served the ministry until her retirement in December 2006. She has been active with the Diversity Institute at Misericordia University, C.I.F.A. (Community of Inter-faith Action), Kiwanis Club of Wilkes-Barre, Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council (serving 6 years as president,) Eastern Region Unity Worldwide Ministries board (serving 4 years as president.) Ann Marie has facilitated coaching groups at Domestic Violence, Candy’s Place, Non-violent juvenile offenders program, and has served in prison ministry for over 30 years.

Ann Marie and her husband Bob have been married for 53 years, have three adult children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She and Bob are looking forward to moving to their new home in The Villages, FL in November.

THE WYOMING VALLEY INTERFAITH COUNCIL

Cordially invites you to attend the

Community Interfaith Luncheon

Monday, November 7, 2016 at 12:00 Noon

The Woodlands Inn and Resort

1073 PA 315, Wilkes-Barre

Citation of Distinction for Community Leadership

will be conferred upon

REVEREND ANN MARIE ACACIO

Community Interfaith Luncheon

Name: ____________________________________________

(Please Print)

Please make ______ reservations (at $25.00 per person)

____ Chicken Cutlet Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta

____ Seafood Encrusted Filet of Sole

____ Stuffed Portobello Mushroom

Monday, November 7, 2016 at 12:00 Noon

The Woodlands Inn and Resort

1073 PA 315, Wilkes-Barre

(For dietary restrictions, please contact The Woodlands)

I am happy to include an optional gift of $_____

in honor of Rev. Ann Marie Acacio

to further the activities of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council

My check payable to “Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council” (W.V.I.C.)

in the sum of $___________ is enclosed.

R.S.V.P. by October 28, 2016

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The “Citation of Distinction” of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council is conferred annually upon individuals who are recognized as leaders within the community for exemplifying the high ideals of human dignity, compassion, and friendship for all people.﻿

The “Citation of Distinction” of the Wyoming Valley Interfaith Council is conferred annually upon individuals who are recognized as leaders within the community for exemplifying the high ideals of human dignity, compassion, and friendship for all people.