Meet my friend Curt

During my recent trip to Victoria caught up with my longtime friend, Curt Bergen. Curt and I have known each other for most of our adult lives. We first met while organ students of Ed Norman in the 1970s in Victoria. We met at an organ concert at the downtown St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church though we cannot agree on the performer at that concert.

As I headed off to London, England for musical studies in 1977, Curt worked on his Bachelor of Music at the University of Victoria. I eventually completed my B Mus at Western University in London, Ontario. During that time I travelled south to Louisville, Kentucky, to visit Curt who was working on a master’s degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary when it was still at the progressive edge of evangelical theology. Things changed drastically a couple of years after he graduated, sadly. Upon graduation, he qualified as a Minister of Music in the evangelical Christian tradition. For me, the Louisville trip was a grand introduction to the northern part of the American south. I would return to Louisville years later researching Thomas Merton’s connection with jazz.

Curt grew up in Vanderhoof in Northern BC in a deeply religious, theologically conservative, Mennonite family. Following high school he attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, a conservative stronghold in Canadian evangelicalism. Like me, his theological perspective grew and reformed steadily through the following decades. This, however, is where his spiritual journey commenced.

We each participated in the other’s marriage ceremonies. We have remained with our life partners through a variety of experiences. We have pushed through health challenges – he once suffered a spate of hiccups which lasted for days – he eventually beat the hiccups down, thankfully.

He continues to savour music in many styles, especially classical organ music. For my part, I have moved on to other creative pursuits including this blog. It is hard for me to remember that back in the day, I would often practice the organ for over four hours each day. It was my life.

Curt has served Alliance, Baptist, and Anglican churches in the Victoria area. He now serves a lively, vibrant United Church congregation in Oak Bay, a vocational experience light years from his PBI roots, a place where he and spouse, Elizabeth, enjoy a profound welcome and sense of deep acceptance.

Curt and I both know the travails and troubles of churches; we each bear our own scars. Trust me on this; Christian leaders must navigate the shoals of lost innocence. Though our various ministries – I proceeded to ordained Anglican ministry though tried to keep music alive for me – Curt continues to lead congregational worship and to create wonderful chamber music performance opportunities.

We both follow current events and share newly discovered book titles. We both remain committed to an understanding and experience of God as Creator, who desires love for all, and through all. We have never forgotten our biblical formation; we have welcomed insights from all sciences and philosophies.

Oh, lest I forget, we both love dogs.

As I shared my photo of Curt with him he immediately complained that he looks like “an old Mennonite.” Well sorry Buddy, but now in your early 70s, you are. And I’m not far behind you.

‘Nuff said. Thanks Curt for your friendship over many years. And may we continue as friends for years to come.

Ken

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