Ruth Carolyn Duck, beloved theologian, hymnwriter, and teacher, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, in Claremont, California, at the age of 79.
Born in Washington, D.C., Ruth grew up in Maryland and Tennessee, where she was profoundly influenced by the civil rights movement and the ministry of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She went on to earn degrees from Rhodes College, Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of Notre Dame, and Boston University, shaping her scholarly focus on liturgy, worship, and inclusive language.
An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Ruth served as a pastor before devoting 27 years to teaching worship and liturgy at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Her legacy as a hymnwriter includes over 200 texts and psalm paraphrases, which appear in hymnals worldwide. Ruth’s work broke new ground with inclusive language and themes of justice, equality, and care for creation, earning her recognition as a Fellow of The Hymn Society.
Ruth was also a leader in liturgical scholarship, serving as president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and receiving its highest honor, the Berakah Award, in 2018 for her lasting contributions to worship studies.
Known for her warmth and wisdom, Ruth traveled extensively, lecturing and leading workshops on worship and hymnwriting. Her writings, teaching, and hymns have touched countless lives, inspiring deeper faith and a commitment to justice.
Ruth spent her final years at Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California, surrounded by a caring community of family, friends and colleagues. A celebration of her life, featuring her hymns, will be held in Decker Hall at Pilgrim Place in Claremont on February 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. PST, with a livestream available online.
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Ruth Duck’s lasting legacy in Christian worship will continue to inspire and uplift communities of faith for generations to come.
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