The Rev. Ross Varney, the pastor of Belleville Congregational Church in Newburyport, had an immediate connection with Ken Medema. The first time Varney saw the blind pianist and singer perform at a national convention about 20 years ago, it struck a deep chord.
Varney said Medema's songs — which speak to life's ups and downs — have helped him through various trials. And the Newburyport pastor often uses Medema's music in his worship service.
At a concert a few years ago in Beverly, Varney told Medema about a grand piano with broken strings that Belleville Church had just received as a gift. The piano, Varney said, needed considerable work.
"(Medema) stood up, leaned over into the soundboard and began plucking various discordant strings to portray the broken strings I had just mentioned," Varney recalled. "What followed was a beautiful song that swelled with hope and ended with triumphant chords, as (Medema) imagined what our old piano might be able to do."
Belleville Church has since fixed the piano's strings and installed new key tops. And on Sunday, Medema will travel to Newburyport to try the refurbished piano out for himself.
The theme of the benefit concert will be "Songs of Healing and Hope," and the program will feature "music to move your feet and your soul."
Blind from birth, Medema started his career as a music therapist before becoming a full-time performer and recording artist in 1973. While rooted in the Christian path, he has been said to inspire diverse audiences, from Sojourner's Justice rallies to fight poverty to youth camps in Bosnia.
Using piano, synthesizer and percussive sounds, Medema is known for composing songs on the spot about stories he has just heard from the audience.
Varney said Medema's music "resonates with some of our deepest emotions and yet always moves us toward the experience of hope and courage."
"The best word I can think of to describe Ken and his music is transformational," Varney said. "I'm convinced that everyone who hears him leaves changed in some way ... smiling at the very least."
Varney is thrilled Medema is visiting Belleville as part of the church's bicentennial celebration.
"It is like a dream come true," Varney said.
IF YOU GO
r What: Pianist and singer Ken Medema in benefit concert
r When: Sunday at 4 p.m.
r Where: Belleville Congregational Church Meetinghouse, 300 High St., Newburyport
r How: Tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 children under 12. Call Ellen Sacco at the church at 978-465-7734. Visit www.kenmedema.com.
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