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.

Tuesday, 30th December 2025 - Christmas Season

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; 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 Struggling Families with Young Children:

Loving God
Whose son Jesus was born into a family with their own practical challenges And through whose life, death and resurrection we are welcomed into God’s family.

We bring families who are isolated to you today.

Would you strengthen them
Build community around them
Help them to know your love,
And to hope for a better tomorrow.

We bring children growing up without the support they need to you today.

Would you protect them.
Provide them with opportunities to grow and learn
Let them know they are loved,
And let them dream for the future.

We pray as your church today.

Would you help us to be your hands and feet
To build community that reflects your heart
To love as you first loved us,
Building your kingdom everywhere we go.

Amen.

Safe Families UK.

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.