Ruth Carolyn Duck
born 21 November 1947,
died 26 December 2024
Ruth Duck pass the doorways of both Wheaton and United Church many times. At UCRP, we used many of her hymns and her interpretations of song lyrics. Many of us learned the importance of inclusive language from her sermons and one-on-one gatherings. We have used in our worship her song books “Bread for the Journey: Resources for Worship,” and “Everflowing Streams: Songs for Worship.” Today we continue the knowledge she bestowed upon us. She was a rock for women’s issues and LGBTQ+ rights within the church.
Ruth Duck was an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, a liturgical theologian and a retired professor of worship who taught for 27 years at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. She is best known for her work as a composer, writer, and adaptor of hymns.
In 1973, she was part of the committee at the Ecumenical Women's Center of Chicago that produced “Because We Are One People,” the first 20th century collection of original and adapted hymns that promoted the use of “non-sexist language.” Since then, Ruth has written over 150 hymns, edited three books of sources for worship services, and written on Trinitarian theology - all with an eye toward facilitating the use of gender inclusive language in the context of Christian worship—her leadership as a contemporary champion for and developer of inclusive language worship sources.
Ruth was an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ but was very involved with the United Methodist Church.
Click here for Ruth Duck’s publications
from deacon Mary Rawlinson
Around 20 or so years ago I first started going to church and had, thanks providence, wandered into the Chicago Temple with Rev. Phil Blackwell and Rev. Cheri Magrini, and later Rev. Claude King, and a thousand other good people. It was transformative in many ways. I saved each bulletin in those first years because the prayers and words on them were so meaningful to me. Often on the front page of the bulletin would be a quote from a poet or theologian and often it was a quote from Ruth Duck. I was exploring Methodism and reading John Wesley’s sermons and assumed beloved Ruth Duck was a contemporary of John and Charles Wesley, and imagined her hanging out in that holy, human, methodical club.
In 2010 I was starting seminary at G-ETS and got an email that my advisor was … Ruth Duck! I had a good laugh at myself and then spent a lot of time being deeply grateful for her lovely tender supportive voice and presence. She taught the first class I took at Seminary, Finding Words for Worship, and gave some of the most skillful critiques of my writing that I’ve ever had. She was simply a delight to be near and to learn from. This plane of existence has lost a truly kind person. Her hymns and her spirit sing on.
From Rev Beth Richardson
Thanksgiving for Ruth Duck*
Thank you, Ruth Duck, for pouring beauty into the world, into our hearts. You have been a gift to us and a gift to the world. I imagine that you have jumped right into the heavenly choir and are composing a few new texts for the next big bash.
*I spent yesterday in the art studio (Art & Soul Nashville). I painted this piece after doing a guided meditation on an important memory in my life. What came to me was the last time I was with Ruth in 2018 at a meeting of the North American Academy of Liturgy. I never got to take classes from her, but our lives overlapped through the annual meetings of "the liturgy nerds."
You sing on in my heart through so many songs. But especially in the prayers of the people that you composed with Mark Miller’s "Prayers of the People. For All Who Labor without End."
For all who labor without end. Hear our prayer, O God. For all who lonely seek a friend. Hear our prayer, O God. ... Holy healer, your people call your name. Send your spirit. Hear our prayer.