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).
Wednesday, 22nd April 2026 - Easter Season: Earth Day
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.
Alleluia!
1 Corinthians 15:20-22, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’
Luke 1:39-45, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition
The Collect of the Day:
Almighty Father, who in thy great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve thee continually in righteousness and truth; 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 Prayer for Earth Day:
God of life, we praise you for the beauty of creation, its richness and variety; yet, through greed and ignorance, we scar your world with plastic waste and throw so much away. Make us more like Jesus, treading gently on our common home, and breathe your Spirit on us, that we may care more deeply for your Earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Right Reverend Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich and Lead Bishop for Environment
A Poem for the Third Sunday of Easter:
On the Walk to Emmaus
Plodding through
with him
on Emmaus road
You don’t know
you know him
He colours history you
nurture as fantasies
with pictures, with quotes
with facts, with truths
like he’d seen it on youtube
How he’s the word
fetched light from gloom
isolated oceans from crust
uncoupled day & night
How he embroidered
himself with flesh &
lulled in a virgin’s loins
How he’s the tree of life
Adam & Eve never had a bite of
how he’s the bread of life
cheer to taste of death
How Moses’ bronze snake
a sketch of his cross
how a gaze into him
trots you into his palace
How the passover lambs
in Egypt epitomise him
How the messiah must
hang & pick up his life
By death of one
life for all
You trot, you leap
check into his eyes
an aeon slide ‘fore him
From Parousia Magazine, Africa, written by Oluwafemi Babasola
A Prayer for Prisoners and Captives:
Lord Jesus you know what it is to be held captive. We pray for all those resident in prison and their families.
May they be aware of your presence with them and may your spirit bring them peace and the hope of new life in Jesus Christ.
May the walls of prison provide a secure place for them to discover both their need for you and that they are loved unconditionally by you.
We pray for all who work in prisons, keep them safe and help them to know and demonstrate your compassion and grace in their daily lives.
We pray for all victims of crime; may your spirit bring them healing and peace as they rebuild their lives.
Gracious God, whose love extends over all the Earth, across all time and for all people, hear our prayer.
Amen.
Written for Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) by the Venerable Peter Leonard, former Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight in the Diocese of Portsmouth
Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:
April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery
The Prayer of 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)
St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296
