I Did What I Could: A Memoir

By Gilbert L. Schroerlucke

**POSTHUMOUS EDITION (2021)** Rev. Gilbert L. Schroerlucke's career in the United Methodist Church evolved from serving small town congregations to a controversial urban ministry focused on civil rights and social justice. For over four decades this minister, also a WWII veteran and family man, challenged the change-resistant institutional church to become relevant and socially-conscious. This new posthumous edition includes an update from his children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Schroerlucke Family
• Release date: Nov 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201132255

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I Did What I Could

A Memoir

by Gilbert L. Schroerlucke

Copyright © 2009, 2008, 2021 by Gilbert L. Schroerlucke, Louisville, Kentucky. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition, 2008

Second Edition, 2009

Second Edition published by Booklocker.com

Posthumous Edition, 2021

Contact: [e-mail]

Cover design by Kaye McSpadden.

Cover photos by JoAnn Darling.

Table of Contents

Note from the 5 Ks (2021)

Foreword

Preface

Author’s Introduction

CHAPTER 1: Farms, Floods, and Family

CHAPTER 2: Greetings from Uncle Sam

CHAPTER 3: Preparations and Transitions

CHAPTER 4: Full-Time Ministry Begins

CHAPTER 5: Ministry Continues in a Small Kentucky Town

CHAPTER 6: Two Stops on the Journey

CHAPTER 7: Dying To Live

CHAPTER 8: Full Steam Ahead

CHAPTER 9: Ministry as Social Justice

CHAPTER 10: The Whirlwind

CHAPTER 11: A Change in Plans

CHAPTER 12: Walking Through Retirement’s Door

CHAPTER 13: Social Justice in Retirement

CHAPTER 14: The View From The Pew

CHAPTER 15: Family Connections and Travel in Retirement

CHAPTER 16: Health and Family in Retirement

CHAPTER 17: A Time For Remembering, A Time For Weeping

CHAPTER 18: Parting Company

Note from the 5 Ks (2021)

When you get to the end of our dad’s memoir, I Did What I Could, you might have the feeling that he was done doing all he could. Thankfully, as it turned out, he kept on doing what he could for another twelve years.

Now, in 2021, we are happy to make his book accessible to even more people by making it available as an e-book. This process has given us the opportunity to make minor corrections in the original text and update readers on our father’s later years.

Certainly, completing his book project in 2008 was a huge accomplishment. Our dad had spent countless hours organizing documents and photos and getting his story down on paper. He was thrilled to be able to share his unique story with the world, and we were proud of him and eager to share it with others. The book received loving attention from friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and it has even been referenced in professional publications.

However, his life continued to be eventful and meaningful. In the book, our dad describes the special joy he and our mom felt for the house they bought in retirement – the first house they had ever owned. After living there for almost three decades, in 2012 they moved to The Village at Wesley Manor Retirement Community in Louisville. As a result of the move, which required significant down-sizing, Gilbert donated many of his books to his alma mater, Kentucky Wesleyan College. After settling in at Wesley Manor, our dad was able to continue with his beloved activity of gardening, sharing produce with others.

He also remained active at Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church, continuing to be a leader and member of an adult Sunday School class, and helping with the church newsletter and other tasks. For awhile, he even played piano at church and helped organize special music. His work as a volunteer in the Open Door Ministry continued for many more years, as did his various social justice activities.

Always eager to learn something new and explore new creative activities, our dad took up the hammered dulcimer—he had built one in earlier years and now he taught himself how to play it. He also added to his collection of original hymns. While two of his hymns are referenced in the book, all five can now be found on the family website at www.schroerlucke.org.

During these years the special recognitions kept coming:

Shortly after I Did What I Could was published, our dad was prominently featured in Fran Ellers’ Standing Up for Reproductive Rights: The Struggle for Legal Abortion in Kentucky.

In 2010, Gilbert received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Bettye and all 5 Ks traveled to Atlanta to be with him for this special recognition.

And in 2017 life seemed to come full circle when Angela Davis returned to town. This time, she was welcomed by University of Louisville as a speaker in the Anne Braden Memorial Lecture Series. That evening, before a large audience, our dad was recognized for the difficult and brave stand he had taken back in 1976. (If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you’ll learn more in the pages ahead.)

Gilbert’s beloved family expanded during these years. Both weddings and births brought new members into the fold. Summer and holiday get-togethers continued, as did special celebrations. In 2017 several family members joined him at the 75th Reunion of Valley High School where he re-connected with several friends from his high school years. In October 2018 many of the family were able to come together to commemorate and celebrate our parents’ 70th wedding anniversary. Sadly, a few months later, in January 2019, we gathered again for our mom’s funeral. Bettye’s death was a profound loss for Gilbert. Shortly after, daughter Kathy moved in with him to help out.

Although life was never quite the same without Bettye, Gilbert never lost his sense of humor, his zest for life, and his zeal for doing what he could, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although visits with family were challenging during that last year, we did what we could, sometimes by Zoom.

As our dad’s health declined, we committed to supporting him at home until the end, which was his wish. The daughters living in Louisville and their families helped to make this possible. After he died at home on January 4, 2021 at the age of 97, we were not able to hold the large funeral we had envisioned (due to the pandemic). We held a small family graveside service, which included a military honor guard honoring his years in the service. Afterwards, we created a virtual memorial service which is available at https://veercast.com/gilbert. The service included a virtual choir performance of Love Will Guide Us by his grandchildren, which we know he would have loved.

As we wrote in 2008, our father was a hero, a pastor, a friend, a colleague, a prophet… and much more... We are proud of him and will always cherish the gift of his life, his commitments and his love. We hope you found this update helpful.

— The 5 Ks: Keith, Kaye, Kathy, Kim, Kelly

November 2021

Foreword

When I was in high school, the Louisville Conference of the Methodist Church held a youth event in Owensboro at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Some members of our youth group from Fourth Avenue Church went to it. Although I do not remember the title of the workshop I attended, I will never forget my first encounter with the leader. He had a funny last name and a message about our responsibilities as people of faith to do justice. I knew that day that I had heard a gifted minister with an important message. But I did not see him again until my last year in college when I chaired Students and Faculty for Open Housing at the University of Louisville and he was one of a handful of white clergy who spoke, marched and worked tirelessly for racial justice. I don’t think Gil remembers me from those days but I would never forget him.

A few years later, I was attending law school at night, working as a social worker by day, and teaching junior high Sunday School at Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church. Our church youth group held a retreat with the West Broadway youth and there I met lots of Schroerluckes. Soon thereafter, Judy Harden, one of my social work colleagues who was living with the Schroerluckes, invited me to worship at West Broadway. It is fun, over thirty years later, to recall the innovative worship that Gil celebrated every week at West Broadway:

providing relevant social justice music combined with traditional hymns;

using guitars, piano and organ complementing each other;

enhancing worship with multi-media presentations;

laity serving as liturgists; and,

making children welcome as participants.

Some church leaders think they recently invented some of these innovations and others seem determined not to embrace any changes. But more important than all these innovations, Gil’s sermons were prophetic preaching of the gospel’s radical call to justice, peace, and equity. What I did not expect was that my plan (that I had from the time I could talk) to be a lawyer would be turned upside-down following my decision to join West Broadway United Methodist Church.

When Gil and the West Broadway congregation invited Angela Davis to speak and all hell broke loose among the United Methodists in Louisville, I was out of the country at the time, and upon my return, I was stunned by the outcry. I prepared a statement for Metropolitan Ministries and the Louisville District, using Romans 12 as my text: be not conformed to this world but be transformed. On each issue that Gil has addressed, he has had to endure the stubborn need on the part of church bureaucrats to conform, and to assure that the boat not be rocked. Their attitudes helped create a sad reality that the church too often is silent when it should be leading the struggles to bring freedom and equality. As a parishioner, colleague, and friend, Gil and I have argued and disagreed over many things, particularly theology and strategy. But as I, a fairly radical feminist, reflect on the most positive influences in my life in addition to my parents, topping the list is the prophetic trinity of Martin Luther King, Jr., George R. Edwards and Gilbert Schroerlucke.

As you read this memoir, you will learn about Gil’s childhood and youth, his military days, college, seminary, and his courtship with Bettye. But as he reflects on his ministry and his work for justice, you will also be challenged to do more, to continue the struggles in spite of the frustrations. Faith, family, and fairness are hallmarks of Gil’s journey. Through the years, Gil and Bettye have worked unceasingly for justice in virtually every arena that oppression has manifested itself, most notably racial justice, peace (from Vietnam to Iraq), reproductive rights and fairness for sexual minorities. They have risked economic security and physical safety to live their faith. Over the years of their journey, they have reared an incredible family, children and grandchildren, who have continued their parents’ commitments to live their values. What a wonderful legacy is celebrated in these pages.

Donna Morton, J.D., M.Div., D.Min,.Louisville, KY

Preface

Approximately three years ago, after years of being encouraged and chastised by members of my family to write my memoirs, I finally said, OK, I’ll do it! But I did not realize what I was getting myself into. What followed were long hours at my computer, taxing my memory and my computer skills, as I tried to accurately describe the events in my life’s journey or at least get the events in their proper sequence. Then there were months of pouring over newspaper clippings, letters, photographs and other artifacts that I had saved over the years. It was a daunting task but I said I would do it so I could not turn back, and soon I learned I was not alone in the task.

My family jumped in and did their part. All my children, Keith, Kaye, Kathy, Kim, and Kelly read the first draft and offered suggestions on how to organize the information and improve the readability of the book. As I worked and re-worked the material, my wife, Bettye was by my side, helping me remember details and offering improved wording. Kaye did the final editing, putting the commas where they belonged, and she designed the book cover depicting aspects of my life’s journey. But the main prize goes to Kathy, who not only did her share of editing but also produced the copy that went to the printer. Without all this help, this project would never have been completed.

I have tried to create a document that will help the reader experience something akin to what I experienced. Thus, I have tried to do more than tell my story in words. I have tried to make it possible for you to join with me in the journey. That’s the rationale for the use of newspaper articles, pictures, letters, and other documents. Hopefully, these will help you enter the times and circumstances in which I lived. So put yourself in my shoes and join with me in my journey. It is my hope that my experience may spark dialogue.

I mention by name only a few individuals whose paths intersected with mine. Many individuals are important to my life and my life’s stories, and there are too many to name. I believe the writer of the Gospel of John said it best when he wrote: If they were all written down one by one, I suppose that the whole world could not hold the books that would be written. (Good News Bible) That’s the way I feel. There isn’t enough paper to list the names of all those who stood with me. So, though their names do not appear within these pages, they were there, standing by my side or in the crowds that paid witness to my life, my work, and my faith.

I begin each chapter with a quotation that I’ve used in sermons, writings and conversations over the years. I offer them here to provoke thought. They are not meant to introduce the chapter.

Although I saved many newspaper and magazine clippings over the years, I did not always record the date. Thus, you will find many articles that are not adequately identified or dated. It will have to suffice the reader to know that the newspaper articles were all taken from the Louisville Courier-Journal or the Louisville Times around the time period being discussed.

I invite you to read my story, I Did What I Could.

Gilbert L. Schroerlucke, January, 2008

Author’s Introduction to the Second Printing

Because of a favorable response to the first printing of I Did What I Could, I am making this second printing available. Printing my memoirs continues to be a non-profit venture for me, so all proceeds over and above expenses will be donated to the Open Door Ministry of the Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. I appreciate the many positive responses I have received from those who have read this memoir. It’s been an uplifting experience.

I stay active in social justice issues mainly through the work of the Kentucky Religious Coalition For Reproductive Choice as well as participating in the life and ministry of the Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church.

I was disappointed that the Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church defeated the All Means All resolution this year. I was equally dismayed by the same results in the entire denomination.

The resolution was an effort to make the church constitution more inclusive and not exclude people based on gender, sexual orientation or physical or mental abilities.

Currently, the church constitution says all persons are of sacred worth, but then goes on to identify the categories of inclusion: without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition. The 2008 General Conference passed a constitutional amendment that simply reads: "The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth and that we are in ministry to all. All persons shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, and upon Baptism, be admitted as baptized members." The simplified language clearly states that ALL MEANS ALL, no exclusions.

Following the General Conference’s approval, the amendment had to be ratified by a majority of the individual churches and clergy. The vote took place this year, and sadly, the resolution failed.

I have not the slightest doubt and I fully believe that God is moving us in the direction of full inclusivity and that one day all will mean all. If we United Methodists continue to resist God’s call for the full acceptance of all people, United Methodism will fade and some day be little more than a misty memory. I’m praying that prophets will rise up and lead us toward a future filled with promise, hope and love for ALL.

Gilbert L. Schroerlucke

November, 2009

CHAPTER 1

Farms, Floods, and Family: A Hardscrabble Childhood

The will of God is sometimes what the world would call ‘madness.’

—Leslie D. Weatherhead, The Will of God

Where to begin my story? That’s my first question as I begin writing this memoir. I could begin where all humans began—in Africa long, long ago. But, that would take me far beyond my knowledge and capabilities. So I must look for other answers.

I could begin on December 11, 1923. That’s the day I entered this world as a distinct human being. But, that would not acknowledge my relatives who went before me and remain as a defining feature to who I am. So I’ll look elsewhere.

Perhaps there are other possibilities but I have chosen to begin with my name, Schroerlucke. It has provided interesting conversations throughout my life. Usually, whenever my name comes up, I automatically respond, Let me spell it for you. It’s pronounced more ways than I have space here to describe. Often I hear, What’s its origin? That’s when I bring it down to me, and my story begins.

It’s through my name that I am able to connect to relatives who preceded me. My great grandfather Schroerlucke immigrated from Ladbergen, Germany in 1840. The earliest reference I can find to the existence of a Schroerlucke is on a tax record in Germany,dated February 22, 1577. On that date there is a record of a Schroerlucke whose name appeared on a tax list assessing taxes on farms, houses and people. This was 43 years before the settlers landed at Plymouth Rock and 126 years before the birth of John Wesley. Luther nailed his 95 theses to the cathedral door only 60 years previously. I have no record of how that original Schroerlucke is related to me but I believe he was.

My known family history began with the birth of Johann Hermann Heinrich Schroerlucke in 1758. He had a son, Hermann Heinrich Schroerlucke who was born in 1789 and who, in turn, had a son Johaan Henrich Wilhelm Schroerlucke born in 1817.This was my great grandfather who immigrated to the US along with his wife, Christina, in 1840.

Ladbergen is a small village a few miles north of Muenster, Germany. Hundreds of its citizens came to America in the 1800’s and several of them had the Schroerlucke name. Generally, the Schroerluckes were peasants and tenant farmers. Having come under the influence of the Wesleyan movement, my great-grandparents,William and Christina, brought German Bibles and German hymnals with them so they could continue in their faith journey. They came on the sailing ship, Johannes. He was 23; she was 21. After a year in Ohio where he worked as a tanner and after the birth of their first child, they moved to Louisville.

They were members of the Clay Street German Methodist Church and, along with several other members, helped to form a second German speaking Methodist Church. After several years living and working in Louisville, they bought property on Manslick Road south of Jacob’s (Iroquois) Park and became farmers.

William built a small church building for worship and even paid ($3.00 per year) to have someone care for the lamps and keep the building clean. They also established the Hillcrest Cemetery for their descendants. My great-grandparents are buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.

William and Christina had a son, John, born in 1853. This John was my grandfather. William’s will has an interesting twist. It reads that my grandfather, John, shall fall short two hundred dollars for not having served his time to his maturity. Evidently, he left home before his father thought he should have.

My grandfather, John, married Maggie McMullen. To this union nine children were born. One of their sons, also named John, was my father. My father was born July 13, 1884. He attended the King school, a small one room building which sat near the corner of Manslick Road and Hazelwood Avenue. Daddy said he finished the fourth grade, and at that time they used slates to write on rather than pencil and paper.

L-R: My mother, Etta Case, my father, John Schroerlucke with their first daughter, Mildred.

My father married my mother, Etta Case in 1905. Just how he and my mother first met, I do not know. I do not know very much about my mother’s family background. I remember talk of her family moving from Indiana to Hardin County. Her father, according to family tradition, was killed when the wagon on which he was riding was struck by a train.There was also the word that she had a brother who left Kentucky and was never heard from again. I grew up knowing three of mother’s sisters, namely, Mary, Nora and Emma. There was an uncle, John Dugan, who occasionally visited us. He must have been an uncle to my mother. I also remember as a child attending a funeral of one of Mother’s relatives (perhaps, it was uncle John Dugan).The cemetery was located near Muldraugh Hill on property which is today a part of Fort Knox.

The picture below shows my mother, Etta Case, as a student at Valley School. I have been unable to find more information about this school.

In the early years of their married life, my parents lived in the Hazelwood section of south Louisville. At that time, Daddy worked for the L&N Railroad and my oldest sister, Mildred, was born on July 2, 1906. Sometime in 1907 Mother, Daddy and now, Mildred, moved to the Fenley Farm in the Valley Station section of Jefferson County. He served as a farm manager while the Fenleys ran their dairy in Louisville. During the Fenley Farm years, they had two more daughters, Lena, born Jan. 30, 1908, and Catherine, born August 30, 1910. The arrival of Catherine changed the family.

When she was nine months old Catherine contracted polio which paralyzed her from the waist down. This would have been the time when she would have been learning to walk, but that was not to be. In those days her condition was called infantile paralysis. The family lived far out in the country where there were few if any medical facilities. With limited transportation available, they could not get the medical help that Catherine needed. So, to be closer to medical facilities, the family moved into the city of Louisville. Daddy left the farm and went to work for the Louisville Railway Company where he was a motorman on a city streetcar. In fact, he became one of their chief instructors for new recruits.

VALLEY SCHOOL (L-R)

Row 1: Mary Belle Foss (Bennett), Sally Hollis, Matilda Camp, Sunshine Alexander, Sally Camp, Josephine Kennedy (Fenley), Marie Kennedy (teacher), Annie Hardesty, Patsy Dunaway, Dixie Burnett, Sadie Dunaway, Ola Mabies, Jeanette Foss, Blant Sipes,

Row 2: Robert Stoval, Albert Case, Ailsie Camp, Owen Tucker, Gertie Camp, Julia Jones, Henry Jucoff, Putnam Moreman, II, John Alexander, John Mabies,George Burnett, Albert Alexander, Emery Miller, Harold Stoval.

Row 3: Clifton Ward, Harris Camp, Sherley Miller, Howard Alexander.

Back Row: Anna May Miller, Dorothy Moreman, Nelly Watkins, Johnnie B. Moreman, Mary Case, Walter Hollis, Etta Case, Hewett Kennedy, Flossie Alexander, Sam Moremen, Austin Watkins Burnett, Robert Case.

I have been unable to discover very much about their family life during this period. I know that my mother and the children attended