Alabama WMU’s spring events for girls and women were a little bittersweet this year.
“It was sad knowing Miss Candace won’t be in charge next year at Pizzazz,” said Caitlin Early, a member of the Alabama ACTeens Challenge Team.
“But I’m excited that she’ll be the new executive director of the state WMU and I know she’ll do a good job. And anyway, Miss Candace said she would come back to visit with us next year,” she said.
During a weekend full of ministry and learning opportunities, Pizzazz participants learned that Candace McIntosh, the state WMU consultant to students and ministries since 1999, had become the executive director-elect of Alabama WMU.
The following weekend, women from throughout Alabama met at WHoly His, a women’s celebration, to hear from missionaries and greet McIntosh at a reception.
“Four years ago, Beverly Miller took a chance in hiring me as the consultant to students and ministries,” McIntosh said at WHoly His.
“And in the last four years, I have fallen in love with you, your daughters and your granddaughters. It has been an honor to serve you and it will continue to be an honor,” she continued.
Pizzazz, a gathering for girls in grades 7 through 12, brought together more than 550 girls and their leaders.
While at the event at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Montgomery, participants prayer walked through a Montgomery neighborhood and also had the chance to meet Vonetta Flowers, the 2002 Olympic gold-medalist in the bobsled race.
The girls and leaders also attended many conferences about being godly women.
Other conferences focused on the new Acteens curriculum to be released this summer at the National Acteens Convention.
WHoly His, a women’s celebration, is Alabama WMU’s event designed specifically for women.
More than 200 women from throughout Alabama gathered at Bethel Baptist Church in Moody to worship and learn how to allow God to reign in their lives completely.
Candy Colley Wood of Birmingham shared her experiences of having grade 3 bone cancer as a young adult.
Esther Burroughs, a popular author and speaker, guided participants to a better understanding of how to allow God to control their hearts.
After the general session Friday night, all attendees were invited to a reception in honor of McIntosh.
“It was so nice to be able to fellowship with and worship with other women of all ages from around the state and to be able to welcome Candace into her new role as executive director,” said Dale Smith, Bethel Baptist Association WMU director. “WHoly His was fabulous, and I just loved hearing Candy tell her story. And hearing the missionaries share from their hearts and about what life is like in the countries where they serve was interesting.”
McIntosh begins her new role April 1. WHoly His and Pizzazz are made possible by gifts to the Kathleen Mallory Missions Offering and the Cooperative Program. (Ala. WMU)
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