National Catholic Reporter Senior Correspondent to Present
“Telling Stories of Change in the Church” 

CWR Celebrates 30th Anniversary
at October’s Conference in Chicago

Heidi Schlumpf, senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and former NCR vice president and executive editor, will deliver the keynote address, “Telling Stories of Change in the Church,” at the 2024 Communicators for Women Religious Annual Conference, which will be held October 8-11 in Chicago.

Heidi has more than three decades of experience covering religion, spirituality, social justice, and women’s issues and has authored or edited three books: Elizabeth A. Johnson: Questing for God; The Notre Dame Book of Prayer; and While We Wait: Spiritual & Practical Advice for Those Trying to Adopt.

Storytelling is always important, but narrative is especially essential during times of change because it can not only reflect the present but shape the future. In “Telling Stories of Change in the Church,” Heidi will address vital questions including: What are the stories we are telling during this time of immense change? How are women religious’ stories being told? How can women religious’ voices contribute to these crucial conversations today? With her 35 years of journalistic experience, Heidi will share the stories shaping the conversations today in the church, our country, and world.

At NCR, Heidi has carried out in-depth coverage on the influence of money in the church as well as on politics, sex abuse, women’s issues, racism, young people in the church, and on women religious. Before coming to NCR, she served as managing editor of U.S. Catholic magazine and as a reporter at Chicago’s archdiocesan newspaper and at secular newspapers in California and Wisconsin.

Heidi’s keynote will no doubt provide valuable guidance for “Navigating the Winds of Change,” the theme of this year’s conference. October’s conference will also see CWR celebrate its 30th anniversary. The conference venue is the Renaissance Chicago Glenview Suites Hotel on Chicago’s North Shore. Register now to join us in Chicagoland in the fall! Further information, including conference program and presenters, can be found HERE.

The annual CWR conference is a unique professional education and networking opportunity tailored specifically to meet the needs of professionals who work on behalf of women religious. The conference affords participants an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, to share ideas, to exchange information, and to learn how to do their work in a more efficient and effective way. Since its inception in 1995, the conference has been annually enhanced to better meet the needs of CWR members and all attendees. We hope you can join us as we navigate the winds of change this fall!