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.

Wednesday, 25th March 2026 - Annunciation: The Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary; The Installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE; The World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:10-14, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

We beseech you, O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts, that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; 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.

Common Worship 

A Poem for the Feast of the Annunciation:

Annunciation

Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivst, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.

John Donne (1572–1631)

A Prayer for the Installation of the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally:

Almighty God, you call your Church in every age to proclaim the gospel of Christ: look with mercy upon your servant Sarah, and grant that, as deacon, she may care for those in need, as priest, sustain us with the ministry of word and sacrament, and as bishop, guard the faith and build up the body of Christ in holiness. Give her wisdom and kindness that as archbishop, she may promote unity, seek truth, and lead us in the way of righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

The Church of England 

A Prayer for the World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination:

God’s gifts and mercies have been lavished upon us with abundance. This day we celebrate all the faithful women who have used their gifts and shared God’s mercies with us. May we, inspired by God’s grace renew our commitment to serve, to listen and to answer God’s call: to live and work to his praise and glory. 

Amen.

Immanuel and St Andrew's Church, Streatham - Part of the Diocese of Southwark 

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Prayer of King Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.

Amen.

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)