Janet Lynn Mitchell, an author and a popular speaker for women’s events, will be at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Manteca on Saturday, Oct. 15.

The woman behind Assembly Bill 2571 which was signed into law on Aug. 31, 2000, Mitchell will be leading the United Methodist Women’s retreat which will focus on the theme, “So what’s your excuse?”

While the event is held under the auspices of the United Methodist Women, Betty Pinol said the retreat “is open to anybody in the public; we have sent out flyers to several churches in the area.”

The retreat will begin at 8:20 a.m. with registration and a continental breakfast in the church’s Fireside Room, and end at 2 p.m.  A catered hot lunch will be served at noon in the Fellowship Hall.

There will be opportunity for autographs, and time to chat with the guest speaker, said Pinol who is in charge of publicity for the event.

She said they starting planning for this event in the spring, “because she (Mitchell) is a very popular retreat person.”

This is the first time the United Methodist Women has invited a nationally renowned speaker to lead their annual retreat, she said.

“Often, we have somebody from the church” to do that, she said.

The retreats are sometimes held in spring, and other times in the fall.

Pinol said tickets for the retreat will be available on Sept. 25. Cost per person is $20 which will include the continental breakfast and lunch.

Author has been featured on radio, television programs

Mitchell has been featured on a number of radio programs including the popular Christian program, “Focus on Family,” and Billy Graham’s “Decision Today.” She has also appeared in a number of television programs on Fox, CBS, and ABC news. Her and articles have also been published in the bestseller book, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, as well as in magazines such as “Woman’s World,” “Light and Life,” and “Celebrate Life.”

Among her published books is “A Special Kind of Love” which has been highlighted by the author of    “A Purpose Driven Life,” Rick Warren, in his “ministry toolbox.” Her new book, “Taking a Stand,” which was recently released, is based on the premise that “it just takes one to change the world.” This book will be available for purchase at the United Methodist Women retreat.

“Taking a Stand” was inspired by Mitchell’s personal experience as a victim of “medical negligence, fraud,” which started when she lost the use of her legs following surgery in high school followed by corrective surgeries to correct the mistakes, according to her online biography.

The story she shares in her new book “has motivated others to ‘take a stand’ and remain firm in their faith through the good, the bad, and the outrageous,” her biography further states.

Reservations to the United Methodist Women retreat can be made in the church office of St. Paul’s United Methodist, 910 North Street, corner of Powers Avenue in Manteca.

For more information, call Luan Bland at (209) 923-4623 or Pat Kilpatrick at 825-2008.

To learn more about the author Janet Lynn Mitchell, visit her web site at http://www.janetlynnmitchell.com/biography.html.