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.

Tuesday, 2nd June 2026 - Ordinary Time

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’

Luke 10:38-end, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power of the divine majesty, to worship the Unity: we beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; who livest and reignest, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

A Poem based on Jesus' visit to Martha's Home (Luke 10:38-end):

Martha and Mary

Martha her love and joy expressed
By care to entertain her guest;
While Mary sat to hear her Lord,
And could not bear to lose a word.

The principle in both the same,
Produced in each a different aim;
The one to feast the Lord was led,
The other waited to be fed.

But Mary chose the better part,
Her Saviour's words refreshed her heart;
While busy Martha angry grew,
And lost her time and temper too.

With warmth she to her sister spoke,
But brought upon herself rebuke;
One thing is needful, and but one,
Why do thy thoughts on many run?

How oft are we like Martha vexed,
Encumbered, hurried, and perplexed!
While trifles so engross our thought,
The one thing needful is forgot.

Lord teach us this one thing to choose,
Which they who gain can never lose;
Sufficient in itself alone,
And needful, were the world our own.

Let groveling hearts the world admire,
Thy love is all that I require!
Gladly I may the rest resign,
If the one needful thing be mine!

John Newton 

A Prayer for all who are affected by the Current Outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):

God of miraculous healing, whose Son displayed your power over sickness and death, we pray for all those who are sick or have died amid outbreaks of infectious disease, including Ebola, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and East Africa. As violence and displacement deepen suffering, help medical workers and public health systems to stem the outbreak and prevent further sickness and death. Protect all the vulnerable in Congo and the surrounding countries. May those who are fearful amid the pain of sickness and death look with hope toward restoration and release. Help us advocate for investment in global health systems that seek to prevent and coordinate response to health emergencies, especially the World Health Organization and other emergency response systems. Come, Lord Jesus, and bring an end to all suffering, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Public Witness Weekly Prayers, The Episcopal Church

A Prayer for Volunteers' Week, 1st-7th June 2026:

Lord,

We pray for all those who volunteer in your service;

giving grateful thanks for all that they give and do.

Strengthen and sustain all volunteers;

that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people;

We pray also for those churches who struggle to find volunteers;

and where the few are struggling under huge burdens.

Help us remember that we need your help in all things –

may your spirit guide us; may your spirit renew us;

may your spirit strengthen us; so that we will be strong in faith.

Amen. 

The Diocese of Worcester's Prayer Diary, 2015

A Prayer in Celebration of Diversity:

Almighty God, through your Holy Spirit you created unity in the midst of diversity;
We acknowledge that human diversity is an expression of your manifold love for your creation;
We confess that in our brokenness as human beings we turn diversity into a source of alienation, injustice, oppression, and wounding.
Empower us to recognize and celebrate differences as your great gift to the human family.
Enable us to be the architects of understanding, of respect and love;
Through the Lord, the ground of all unity, we pray.

Amen.

Author Unknown 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

June 2026 - Jarrow Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.

Amen. 

Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634