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.
The latest editions of the weekly news-sheet and music notes are in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are links to bell ringing and
choir and concert info. We have a strong connection with
St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School, and with our neighbouring parishes within The Benefice of the Three Saints—
St Mary's (Shincliffe),
St Mary's (Coxhoe) and
St Helen's (Kelloe).
Tuesday, 11th August 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Clare of Assisi, Founder of the Minoresses (Poor Clares), 1253 [Lesser Festival]; The Feast of St John Henry Newman, Priest and Tractarian, 1890 [Commemoration]
The Collect of the Day:
O God of peace, who in the poverty of the blessed Clare gavest us a clear light to shine in the darkness of this world: give us grace so to follow in her footsteps that we may, at the last, rejoice with her in thine eternal glory; 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
The Gospel Reading:
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
(John 15:4-10, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)
Exciting Holiness: Collects & Readings for the Festivals & Lesser Festivals of the Calendar of the Church of England, Canterbury Press Norwich, 1997
A Prayer of St Clare of Assisi:
I behold the Lord.
I see his outstretched hands.
I see the blood from his wounds.
I see the love in the eyes of Jesus.
I see his gracious acceptance of me.
Jesus has come out of the tomb –
He still has the scars, but now they are glorious, with the glory of heaven.
Still looking at the Lord, I reach out and touch him.
I hold the Lord – and I am held in his love.
Love enfolds.
It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me.
I am secure in the Lord.
I can look out, now, through the Lord’s eyes.
I can see the world as he created it, in his mercy,
I can see my sisters and brothers with his love,
and I can worship the Father through the eyes of the Son
in the love of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St Clare of Assisi
The Post Communion:
Merciful God, who gavest such grace to thy servant Clare that she served thee with singleness of heart and loved thee above all things: help us, whose communion with thee has been renewed in this sacrament, to forsake all that hinders us from following Christ and to grow into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Common Worship
A Poem by St John Henry Newman:
The Sign of the Cross
Whene'er across this sinful flesh of mine
I draw the Holy Sign,
All good thoughts stir within me, and renew
Their slumbering strength divine;
Till there springs up a courage high and true
To suffer and to do.
And who shall say, but hateful spirits around,
For their brief hour unbound,
Shudder to see, and wail their overthrow?
While on far heathen ground
Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though
Its source he cannot know.
St John Henry Newman
A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Earthquake in Colombia, South America:
God of compassion,
We pray for the people of Colombia and for all whose lives have been devastated by the earthquake.
Comfort those who mourn, bring healing to the injured, shelter those who have lost their homes and sustain all who wait for news of loved ones.
Give strength, wisdom and protection to rescue workers, medical teams and all who are responding to the disaster. Be close to churches and communities offering comfort and practical help, and grant courage and hope in the days ahead.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Anglican Communion
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.
The Venerable Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
