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 11am, 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 6pm 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 10am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.
The latest editions of the weekly news-sheet and music notes are in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are links to bell ringing and
choir and concert info. We have a strong connection with
St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School, and with our neighbouring parishes within the Benefice of The Three Saints;
St Mary's Shincliffe,
St Mary's Coxhoe and
St Helen's Kelloe.
Thursday, 1st January 2026 (New Year's Day) - Christmas Season: The Feast of the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus
God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.'
Genesis 17:9-10, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition.
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
2 Corinthians 5:17, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition.
The Collect of the Day:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was circumcised in obedience to the law for our sake and given the Name that is above every name: give us grace faithfully to bear his Name, to worship him in the freedom of the Spirit, and to proclaim him as the Saviour of the world; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Common Worship.
A Prayer for the New Year:
God of this New Year,
We are walking into mystery.
We face the future,
Not knowing what the days and months will bring to us
or how we will respond.
Be love in us as we journey.
May we welcome all who come our way.
Deepen our faith to see all of life through your eyes.
Fill us with hope and an abiding trust
That you dwell in us amidst our joys and sorrows.
Thank you for the treasure of our faith life.
Thank you for the gift of being able to rise each day
With the assurance of your walking through the day with us.
God of this New Year, we praise you.
Amen.
Leominster Priory, Part of the Diocese of Hereford.
A Prayer for the Christmas Season:
God of the waiting and the watching ones we praise you that you sent your Son to meet us.
God of the frightened and the lonely ones we praise you that you sent your Son to calm and surround us.
God of the oppressed and marginalized ones we praise you that you sent your Son to liberate and include us.
God of the bereaved and hurting ones we praise you that you sent your Son to comfort and heal us.
This Christmas fill our hearts with your love, that like Mary and Joseph we would be willing to take risks to proclaim your love to a hurting world, stand up against injustice and share the hospitality of your kingdom.
We ask all this in the precious name of the Baby of Bethlehem.
Amen.
Embrace the Middle East.
Everyone at St Oswald's wishes you a Christmas and New Year filled with the peace of God, the joy of the birth of Christ, and the hope of the Holy Spirit.
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
