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.

Monday, 5th January 2026 - Christmas Season: The Eve of the Epiphany 

Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:5-6, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, in the birth of your Son you have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word, and shown us the fullness of your love: help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love that we may know the fullness of his joy; 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 all Those Affected by the Recent US Military Attack on Venuzuela:

Holy and merciful God,

You who hear the cries of your people and never abandon the work of your hands, we lift before you the people of Venezuela.

Pour out your peace upon a land weary from hardship and uncertainty. Strengthen families who struggle to find food, medicine, and safety. Guard those who are vulnerable, displaced, or living in fear. Bless those who work for justice, dialogue, and reconciliation.

Grant wisdom to leaders, courage to communities, and resilience to all who continue to hope against hope. Let your Spirit move through acts of compassion, through neighbours helping neighbours, through the quiet persistence of those who refuse to give up on one another.

May your light break through every shadow, your healing mend every wound, and your love restore the dignity and peace your children deserve.

We ask this in the name of Christ, our companion in suffering and our source of unshakeable hope.

Amen.

St Matthew's Church, Windsor, Ontario, Canada - Part of the Diocese of Huron in the Anglican Church of Canada

Durham Diocesan Deanery Monthly Prayer Intention - January 2026:

Easington Deanery.

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.