Ruth Duck

Until her retirement, Ruth was Professor of Worship at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. She has also authored a number of books on the subject of worship. Her hymn texts are published in many denominational hymnals as well as in numerous other collections.

Prior to arriving at Garrett in 1989, she served as pastor at United Church of Christ parishes in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Her undergraduate work was done at Southwestern-at-Memphis University, which is now called Rhodes College.

Ruth holds two masters degrees: one from Chicago Theological Seminary and one from the University of Notre Dame. Her doctorate in theology was earned at Boston University. Her academic credentials balance beautifully with her pastoral experience dealing with the everyday tasks as the spiritual leader of a parish community.

Ruth’s powerful texts have emerged as the major part of the cutting edge of language that speaks of God in universal terms and in poetry that is as poignant as it is stoic.