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.

Tuesday, 1st September 2026 - Ordinary Time (Creationtide): The Feast of St Giles of Provence, Hermit, c.710 [Commemoration]; The First Day of Creationtide

'Let us care for the weakest, for in them Christ himself comes to us.'

 St Giles of Provence

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who hast called thy Church to witness that thou wast in Christ reconciling the world to thyself: help us so to proclaim the good news of thy love that all who hear it may be drawn unto thee; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship

The Second Reading Appointed for Today's Morning Prayer:

Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?’ Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, ‘I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But I replied, “By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.” But a second time the voice answered from heaven, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, “Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.” And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?’ When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, ‘Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.’

Acts 11:1-18, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

A Prayer for the New School Year:

Heavenly Father,

At the start of a new school year, we give you thanks for the work of all schools (and particularly St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School in our own parish).

We pray for all children starting at new schools, and for those returning. Help them to explore what they can achieve, and give them confidence to play their part in shaping our world.

We pray for all those who work in schools. Care for them as they care for our children.

We pray for all governors of schools. Grant them wisdom and sound judgement, and help them to keep children's well-being at the heart of everything they do.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen. 

The Church of England

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Incident at Big Church Festival in West Sussex:

Heavenly Father,

We bring before you the heartbreak at Big Church Festival.

We pray for the loved ones who are grieving. Surround them with your comfort and peace.

We pray for those who were injured, asking for your physical and emotional healing.

We lift up the emergency responders, volunteers, and all who witnessed what happened.

When words fail, your presence remains.

Draw near to this community today and in the days ahead.

Amen. 

Tearfund

We pray in particular at this time for the repose of the soul of Pastor Robert Guanco of Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, who died in the recent incident at Big Church Festival, and for comfort and strength for his family, friends, loved ones and those whom he served in his ministry.

Rest eternal grant unto Robert, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

A Prayer for All Those Affected by the Recent Fatal Road Collision near Middlesbrough, and the Ongoing Violence in Teesside:

Loving God, in this time of sadness and uncertainty, we bring before you all those affected by the recent events in Teesside. Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who serve in these communities, and bring healing to all our communities. Where there is fear, bring peace. Where there is anger, we pray for understanding. Where there is division, we pray for a spirit of community.

We pray for wisdom for all those leading and investigating, hope to those who feel forgotten, and courage to all who seek the good of our communities. May your love be seen in acts of kindness, and your peace rest upon Teesside and Middlesbrough.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Mrs Carolyn Godfrey (North East Regional Safeguarding Officer in the Methodist Church, and former Vice-President of the Methodist Conference)

We pray especially at this time for the repose of the souls of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, officers of Cleveland Police who died in the recent road collision on the A66 near Middlesbrough, and for comfort and strength for their families, friends, loved ones and colleagues.

Rest eternal grant unto Matthew and Tom, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in glory.

Amen.

We pray too for Father Malcolm Lockey (SSC) and the team at the Church of St John the Evangelist, South Bank, East Middlesbrough (Diocese of York) who have been supporting those in the local community affected by the collision.

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

September 2026: Durham Dales Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

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. 

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

A Reading for Creationtide 2026 - Living Water:

Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes.

On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’

Ezekiel 47:9, 12, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition