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.

Monday, 31st August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, Missionary, Close Friend and Missionary Partner of St Oswald of Northumbria, 651 [Lesser Festival]

The Collect of the Day:

O everlasting God, who didst send thy gentle bishop Aidan to proclaim the gospel in this land: grant that we may live after his teaching in simplicity, humility and love for the poor; 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

The Prayer of St Aidan of Lindisfarne:

Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
make me an island, set apart,
alone with you, God, holy to you.
Then with the turning of the tide
prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,
the world that rushes in on me
till the waters come again and fold me back to you.

Amen.

The Gospel Reading:

Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfil the scripture, “The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.” I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’

(John 13:16-20, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Feast of St Aidan of Lindisfarne, Lectionary Framework from Exciting Holiness

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Incident at Big Church Festival in West Sussex:

Heavenly Father,

We bring before you the heartbreak at Big Church Festival.

We pray for the loved ones who are grieving. Surround them with your comfort and peace.

We pray for those who were injured, asking for your physical and emotional healing.

We lift up the emergency responders, volunteers, and all who witnessed what happened.

When words fail, your presence remains.

Draw near to this community today and in the days ahead.

Amen. 

Tearfund

We pray in particular at this time for the repose of the soul of Pastor Robert Guanco of Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, who died in the recent incident at Big Church Festival, and for comfort and strength for his family, friends, loved ones and those whom he served in his ministry.

Rest eternal grant unto Robert, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Fatal Road Collision near Middlesbrough, and the Ongoing Violence in Teesside:

Loving God, in this time of sadness and uncertainty, we bring before you all those affected by the recent events in Teesside. Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who serve in these communities, and bring healing to all our communities. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is anger, we pray for understanding. Where there is division, we pray for a spirit of community.

We pray for wisdom for all those leading and investigating, hope to those who feel forgotten, and courage to all who seek the good of our communities. May your love be seen in acts of kindness, and your peace rest upon Teesside and Middlesbrough.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mrs Carolyn Godfrey (North East Regional Safeguarding Officer in the Methodist Church, and former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference)

We pray especially at this time for the repose of the souls of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, officers of Cleveland Police who died in the recent road collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough, and for comfort and strength for their families, friends, loved ones and colleagues.

Rest eternal grant unto Matthew and Tom, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

We pray too for Father Malcolm Lockey (SSC) and the team at the Church of St John the Evangelist, South Bank, East Middlesbrough (Diocese of York) who have been supporting those in the local community affected by the collision.

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

August 2026 - Auckland Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald:

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. 

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

The Post Communion:

Holy Father, who didst gather us around the table of thy Son that we, with all thy household, might partake of this holy food: in that new world wherein the fullness of thy peace is revealed, gather people of every race and tongue to share with thy servant Aidan and all thy saints in the eternal banquet of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

Common Worship

A Reading for the Feast of St Aidan of Lindisfarne:

As soon as he became king, Oswald greatly wished that all of the people whom he ruled should be imbued with the grace of the Christian faith, of which he had received such signal proof in his victory over the heathen. So he sent to the Scottish elders among whom he and his companions had received the sacrament of baptism when in exile, asking them to send him a bishop by whose teaching and ministry the English people over whom he ruled might receive the blessings of the Christian faith and the sacraments. His request was granted without delay, and they sent him Bishop Aidan, a man of outstanding gentleness, holiness, and moderation. 

The Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People