We are a Church of England parish with a strong tradition of music in worship, where all are very welcome. As an ancient Church in the centre of Durham, St Oswald's is a reservoir of peace for all who enter it.

The Sunday Eucharist is at 11:00am, and we have a play and books corner by the font for any younger worshipper who feels a parent or carer would enjoy it there. Evensong is at 6:00pm on Sundays, either in the chancel, or roughly every other week during term time when the usual hymns expand to a full choral setting, in the body of the church. Midweek Holy Communion is at 10:00am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5:00pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

Upcoming Services and Events: 

Thursday, 5th November 2026 - Bonfire Night: Annual Community Bonfire in the Churchyard at 6:00pm (free admission)

Sunday, 8th November 2026 - Remembrance Sunday: Sung Parish Eucharist with Act of Remembrance at 10:50am, and Said Evensong with Hymns at 6:00pm

All are very welcome.

***Please note that we are currently experiencing an issue with our heating system in church, so please wrap up warmly when visiting us. Hot water bottles are available for use by those attending any of our services, or if you'd like to bring your own, we can fill them for you, either in the Institute before Parish Eucharist or in the vestry prior to Evensong, Oasis and Midweek Holy Communion. Blankets are also available. We apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may cause.*** 

Thursday, 5th November 2026 - Ordinary Time; Remembrancetide

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast kindled the flame of love in the hearts of thy saints: grant to us, we beseech thee, the same faith and power of love that we, rejoicing in their triumphs, may be sustained by their example and fellowship; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen. 

Common Worship

Today's Epistle:

It is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh—even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 

Philippians 3:3-8a, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

November 2026: Stockton Deanery

A Prayer for Renewal and Growth in our Benefice:

Almighty God, through whose servants the Blessed Virgin Mary, Oswald and Helena many heard and received the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ; grant to us the courage and the grace to follow their example, in declaring the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. And so, by the work of thy Holy Spirit, may many in our benefice come to faith, baptism and confirmation, and take their place among thy people, worshipping, witnessing and serving, to the glory of thy holy name; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Right Reverend Rick Simpson - Bishop of Durham, ad.

A Prayer of our Patron, St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us all kneel, and together beseech the true and living God Almighty in his mercy to defend us from the proud and cruel enemy; for he knows that we have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation.

Amen. 

St Oswald of Northumbria

(Prayed by King Oswald and his army on the battlefield on the eve of the Battle of Heavenfield)