As the Catholic Church in the U.S. stands in the midst of change - in liturgical practices, patterns of ministry, parish clustering, and growing ethnic and cultural communities - "One Body, One Spirit in Christ" becomes an appropriate theme for the National Association of Pastoral Musicians' regional convention in Los Angeles this summer.

"NPM has planned all three of its 2008 regional conventions to help people understand, deal with, and even celebrate the changes we all face," noted Michael McMahon, president of NPM, in referring to the Aug. 5-8 convention in Los Angeles, and to similar events in East Brunswick, N.J., and Cleveland, Ohio, earlier in the summer.

"Change may arouse fear but can also offer opportunities for hope and growth," McMahon said. "In the midst of change we seek the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to become "one body, one Spirit in Christ." We sing our prayer for the renewing Spirit of Christ to open our eyes to the rich diversity among us and to strengthen our hearts to serve others."

The convention will include a 15-hour intensive Multicultural Institute throughout the week led by Mary Frances Reza and Father Eric Law. There will also be numerous workshop sessions on customs, devotions, and musical traditions of Asian, Hispanic, and African American communities.

Overall, the convention --- designed for musicians, clergy and all leaders of worship --- features nearly 50 workshops on music, liturgy and pastoral ministry. Priests and deacons will benefit from sessions on the forthcoming English translation of the Roman Missal, the new U.S. bishops' document on music, preaching, mentoring youth, the liturgical bookshelf, and cultural issues.

Presenters include Antonio Alonso, Father Thomas Dragga, Paul Ford, Jerry Galipeau, Rawn Harbor, Msgr. Kevin Irwin, Thomas Kendzia, Robert McCarty and Annette Welsh. Major addresses will be presented by Msgr. Irwin, Rawn Harbor, Robert McCarty and Sister Cynthia Serjak.

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., fosters the art of musical liturgy. The members of NPM serve the Catholic Church in the United States as musicians, clergy, liturgists, and other leaders of prayer.

Throughout the year, NPM hosts institutes around the country geared to particular needs in music, liturgy and musicianship, in addition to regional conventions in even-numbered years as a national convention in odd-numbered years. The last national convention to be held in this region was 1989, in Long Beach; the last local regional convention was in 2002, in Orange.

For complete information on NPM conventions, visit the NPM website at www.npm.org or phone (240) 247-3000.