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, 10th August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Laurence, Deacon at Rome, Martyr, 258 [Lesser Festival]

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who didst make Laurence a loving servant of thy people and a wise steward of the treasures of thy Church: inflame us, by his example, to love as he loved and to walk in the way that leads to everlasting life; 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

A Reading for the Day:

‘Revere the Lord all your days, my son, and refuse to sin or to transgress his commandments. Live uprightly all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing; for those who act in accordance with truth will prosper in all their activities. To all those who practise righteousness give alms from your possessions, and do not let your eye begrudge the gift when you make it. Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor, and the face of God will not be turned away from you. If you have many possessions, make your gift from them in proportion; if few, do not be afraid to give according to the little you have. So you will be laying up a good treasure for yourself against the day of necessity. For almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the Darkness. Indeed, almsgiving, for all who practise it, is an excellent offering in the presence of the Most High.

Tobit 4:5-11, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

The Post Communion:

O eternal God, who hast given us this holy meal in which we have celebrated the glory of the cross and the victory of thy martyr Laurence: by our communion with Christ in his saving death and resurrection, grant us with all thy saints the courage to overcome evil and so to partake of the fruit of the tree of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Prayer for All Those Affected by Climate Disasters, Conflict and Violence Throughout the World:

God of the impossible,

We pray for justice, peace and reconciliation in our world.

You are our refuge and strength, our help in times of trouble.

Have mercy on lands devastated by climate disasters. Prosper those rebuilding homes and strengthen those rebuilding hope.

Bring calm to regions torn by conflict and violence. Grant wisdom to leaders and healing to all who suffer.

In the midst of fear and uncertainty, let your light shine.

Amen.

Christian Aid

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

August 2026 - Auckland Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald:

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

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. 

From the Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People