Ruth Carolyn Duck (November 21, 1947 – December 26, 2024) was an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, a liturgical theologian and professor of worship who taught for 27 years at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Duck was 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.” Duck wrote over 150 hymns, edited three books of sources for worship services, and wrote on the topic of Trinitarian theology, all with an eye toward facilitating the use of gender inclusive language in the context of Christian worship. She was a leading champion for and developer of inclusive language worship sources.
