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, 6th January 2026 - Epiphany Season: The Feast of the Epiphany 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’

Matthew 2:1-2, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

The Collect of the Day:

O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; 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

The Post Communion:

Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Prayer for All Who Travel:

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer According to the use of The Episcopal Church

A Prayer for All Whose Lives have been Devastated or Affected by the Recent Fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland:

Loving God,
In our sadness and shock,
We commend to you all whose lives have been devastated or affected by the fire in Crans-Montana.
We pray for the bereaved, for those suffering life-changing injuries, and the many who are shocked and traumatised.
We hold before you those who wait with great anxiety for news of someone they love.
We offer to you the work of medical staff, nurses and all involved in giving care, including our own chaplaincies in Switzerland.

As at this time we recall the birth of the Christ-child who came to share our human condition,
we pray that all affected by this tragedy may be surrounded and held by human love,
And that through this they may know something of your own divine love.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, our healer and our friend.

Amen.

The Diocese in Europe - Part of the Church of England

Durham Diocesan Deanery Monthly Prayer Intention - January 2026:

Easington Deanery

A Prayer for the Epiphany Season:

Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Saviour was born.

Today we live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door.

May our lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us.

That we might be the means through which others can encounter Jesus Christ.

Amen.

St Nicholas' Church, Thorney Island, Chichester Harbour, West Sussex - Part of the Diocese of Chichester