Pastoral musicians group chapter to get new leader, present at convention

The Jefferson City diocese’s chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) is gearing up for new leadership and an even higher national profile.

After serving as Chapter Director for seven years, Laura Forbis St. Clair, will be stepping down July 1, 2026.

She and her husband, Chris, who are members of Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, requested permission in 2018 from Archbishop Shawn McKnight to reactivate the chapter and loaned the start-up funds necessary to do so.

Mrs. St. Clair was elected chapter director in 2019 and served the maximum six years, plus an extra year as requested by Archbishop McKnight to help implement a diocesan decree on sacred music.

She will remain on the executive committee for the chapter for one year, ex officio.

The incoming chapter director is Ron Sayer, a member of St. Peter Parish in Marshall.

He begins his first three-year term July 1.

Mr. Sayer holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree and a Master in Music Education and has taught for more than 40 years.

He retired in 2019 from his role as Music Arts Coordinator and Director of Choirs at State Fair Community College.

He continues to direct a church choir, lead a community chorus and play organ and piano at two churches in the Marshall area.

Along with NPM, he is a member of several music organizations including the American Guild of Organists.

Mr. Sayer was serving the chapter as treasurer. Robert Wideman, a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Brookfield, will succeed him in that role, beginning his first three-year term July 1.

Mr. Wideman has served and will continue to serve the chapter as the deanery representative for the North Deanery.

He serves as a guitarist for Mass. He works as the Chief Information Officer at Moberly Area Community College.

National involvement

The Jefferson City Diocese’s chapter was honored as the NPM Chapter of the Year in 2025.

The chapter has three members slated to lead breakout sessions at the upcoming national convention in Washington, D.C.:

• Mrs. St. Clair will present the breakout, “Partnering With Your Diocese for Chapter Success”; and
• Kate Basi, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Columbia, will present two breakouts.

The first, titled “‘All Are Welcome’: Building Inclusive Liturgical Ministries for Modern Families,” will be with Krista Kutz of Ministry Scheduler Pro.

It will be about building a volunteer base that will sustain itself into the future.

The second, titled “Full, Conscious, Active, GO!: Readying the Young Church for Mission,” will be given with Shannon Cerneka of St. Peter Parish in Fulton and Orin Johnson from the St. Louis archdiocese.

It will include best practices for planning school Masses, getting children involved, and related topics.

Mrs. Basi also has one of her compositions in the Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) showcase this year: “Advent Antiphon.”

It can be found online at: ocp.org/en-us/songs/91471/advent-entrance-antiphons-and-processional.

Scholarship recipient

Liz Kehl, who serves as the diocese’s NPM chapter’s secretary, was awarded the Valerie Lee-Jeter McKenzie Scholarship from the national organization, to cover her registration to attend the national convention in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Kehl is a member of St. Vincent de Paul parish in Sedalia.

So far, seven people from this diocese are signed up to attend the national convention.