Student Performances at the Ann Dobson Hall, Van Mildert College.

Taxi collection from outside of St Oswald's Institute.

To book your free ticket, please contact Eleanor on 079 303 15091 or via email at [email protected].

For further details, please speak to Alison Shambrook or click on 'MORE INFO' below.

All are very welcome.

The worshipping heart of parish life; a service from Common Worship including Holy Communion with refreshments afterwards in the Institute across the road.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 8th February 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Second Sunday before Lent (Sexagesima); Racial Justice Sunday

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

(Matthew 6:31-33, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Readings:
Genesis 1:1--2:3
Romans 8:18-25
Matthew 6:25-end

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, The Most Reverend Andrew Chan

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

University Chaplains:
Durham University - The Reverend Julia Candy, The Reverend Peter Kashouris, The Reverend Canon Gavin Wort, The Reverend Doctor Samuel Hole, The Reverend Fiona Hill, The Reverend Marie Edwards, The Reverend Kate Eaton-Wells; The University of Sunderland - The Reverend Chris Howson

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention:

February 2026 - Hartlepool Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

God our creator, by your gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise, and the bread of life at the heart of your Church: may we who have been nourished at your table on earth be transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s cross and enjoy the delights of eternity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A Prayer for Racial Justice Sunday 2026 - 'Love Your Neighbour':

Most Merciful God,

We thank you that you are a God of justice who is active in the world,
We praise you that your word has the power to change lives,
We believe that you redeem and restore the victims of injustice
And we recognise that as Christians, we are to embrace the biblical call to do justice.

Lord, your word says that we are all made in your image and loved by you, yet we live in a world in which sadly, injustice is manifested in ways that are harmful and damaging to so many, especially the most marginalised.

As your people, help us to be mindful that racism is contrary to biblical teaching because it denies basic justice and human dignity. What is more, it is sinful because it assumes all are not equal before you and are not part of your family. Help us also to remember that all who fail to challenge racism in church or society are guilty of condoning or colluding with sinful behaviour.

So, by the power of your Holy Spirit, give us, as your people, the courage to stand up for what is just and right,
and against sinful attitudes and behaviours that fail to treat all people with the respect and dignity they deserve, as men and women created in your likeness.

Just as you are the Alpha and Omega, a God of the past, present and future, help us to remember the lessons of the past, and apply them to the present, so that our future will be a world in which justice, equity, peace and love preside.

This we ask in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

(Churches Together in Britain and Ireland)

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000).***

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A prayerful and reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer. Roughly every other Sunday in term time, a full choral evensong is held.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 8th February 2026: The Sunday called Sexagesima; Racial Justice Sunday

Evening Prayer with Hymns

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

(Revelation 4:8-11, King James Version)

***Please see the 'Parish Eucharist' page for the Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle intentions for the day, along with the Deanery for the month, and the Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle intentions for the day.***

The Collect of the Day:

O Lord God, who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do; Mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A Passage of Scripture for Racial Justice Sunday 2026:

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

(Galatians 5:14, King James Version)

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000).***

A monthly event which usually takes place on the second Tuesday of the month. Pop in for tea, coffee and a chat.

Free entry; all are very welcome.

***Funds raised at February's Coffee Afternoon be in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS); futher details about this charity can be found by clicking 'MORE INFO' below.***

A short time of reflection, designed to be a benefit for parents dropping off children at the school, with a concluding prayer and coffee. All are very welcome.

A prayerful, reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer, held in the chancel.

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

All are very welcome.

Wednesday, 4th February 2026

Midweek Holy Communion

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

(Matthew 27:45-50, King James Version)

The Collect of the Day:

O Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and household continually in thy true religion; that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace may evermore be defended by thy mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Prayer of Oblation:

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

Amen.

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of Taiwan - Part of The Episcopal Church

All are very welcome to join us as we observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season with a special service of the Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes, where the Choir of St Oswald's will be joined by the Choir of St Mary's College, Durham University.

'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.'

(Matthew 6:5-6, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive these his inestimable gifts, and also daily endeavour to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

'By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’

(Genesis 3:19, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

***Please note, Midweek Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer will still take place at 10:00am on this date; all are very welcome.***

As part of Durham Vocal Festival 2026, Voices of Hope are collaborating with Northern Spirit Singers to perform Johannes Brahms: Schicksalslied and Liebeslieder and Frank Martin: Mass for Double Choir.

Tickets are available by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.

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Durham University Palatinate Orchestra's Palatinate Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

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Durham University Classical Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fourth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.