The current outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has now spread to Goma. This is a different strain of the disease from previous outbreaks, and development of a vaccine will, at best, take months. People who contributed to our appeal may like to watch ‘Diocese of Goma Ebola update and response’, a short YouTube video available below and on the web, in which the Anglican Bishop of Goma, Martin Gordon, explains very clearly the impact of this outbreak on the city and the role of the churches in combatting it. He stresses three priorities for our prayers – for the containment of the Ebola outbreak, for peace to return to eastern DRC, and that the churches in the Diocese of Goma will continue to be beacons of hope.I am grateful to Beth for this information following up on St Oswald's 2025 Advent Appeal.PeterA Prayer for all who are Affected by the Outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda:Heavenly Father,You are our healer. You restore the sick and comfort people in their suffering.We bring before you the Ebola virus outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda. Please be with the local authorities and the World Health Organisation as they seek to respond rapidly and effectively. Give them wisdom as they make decisions, provide them with the resources needed for treatment, and help them contain the spread. Protect health workers from the virus and keep them healthy.For those who are sick, we ask that you would heal them. Give them access to treatment and skilled medical staff. Comfort them in their pain. For those who are suffering the loss of a loved one, be with them in their grief. Make your love known and provide for their daily needs.We also pray for the church in the regions of DR Congo and Uganda affected by this outbreak. Please give your people opportunities to share Christ’s love as they help the sick and comfort those who are living in fear of being infected.Lastly, we ask for peace and stability in the region. End political conflict and put people in power that will govern wisely.Lord God, we ask all this knowing that you can do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.The National Council of Churches in Australia (Adapted from Anglican Aid)Websites Containing Further Information:Gordons in Goma: www.gordonsingoma.orgThe Bishop of Goma's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@bishopofgomaChristian Aid: www.christianaid.org.ukChurch Mission Society (CMS): www.churchmissionsociety.org/blog/news/church-leaders-mobilise-for-ebola
Sunday, 14th June 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Second Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute 6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of Samuel and Henrietta Barnett, Social Reformers, 1913 and 1936 [Commemoration] (CW); Alban, Martyr, c.250 (BCP)9:00am - Oasis 10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 21st June 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Third Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Choral Evensong (BCP)Tuesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely, c.678 [Lesser Festival]7:30pm - Durham Churches Together AGM and Talk in the Institute (please see note below)Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Saturday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 444 [Commemoration]; Ember Day2:00pm - Elizabeth Barrett Browning Anniversary Service and Buffet at St Helen's, Kelloe (please see note below)3:00pm - Elvet Residents Association AGM, Social and Talk in the Institute (please see note below)4:00pm - Petertide Diocesan Ordination Service at Durham Cathedral (please see note below)Sunday, 28th June 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Fourth Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist and Holy Baptism (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute 6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of Henry, John, and Henry Venn the Younger, Priests, Evangelical Divines, 1797, 1813 and 1873 [Commemoration]9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 5th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Fifth Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Evensong (BCP) (Said/Choral TBC)***Please see the Calendar of Services attached.*** The Bishop of Durham: It was good to attend the Installation Service at the Cathedral as the Right Reverend Rick Simpson begins his ministry as Bishop of our Diocese.Tuesday Team - Fundraising Update: Since June 2025, £2105.00 has been raised. Beneficiaries include St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Diabetes UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and St Oswald’s Institute Kitchen Fund. Grateful thanks to Councillor David Freeman for his support.Durham Churches Together AGM 2026: This will take place in the Institute on Tuesday 23rd June at 7:30pm, and will include a talk on 'Receptive Ecumenism' by Dr Gregory Ryan from the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University. All welcome.Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Anniversary Service and Buffet at St Helen’s, Kelloe at 2:00pm on Saturday 27th JuneElvet Residents Association AGM 2026: AGM and Social in the Institute at 3:00pm on Saturday 27th June, followed by a talk by Steve Lindsay—'In Search of Tigers'Ordination to the Priesthood: Helen Miller will be ordained as a priest on Saturday 27th June at 4:00pm at Durham Cathedral and will continue to serve her curacy at St Nics, Durham. You will remember Helen from her time here as an ordinand.Parish Magazine: There are still a few copies of the current issue available from the back of Church at a cost of £2.00 each.***Please note that the copy deadline for the next issue is Sunday 21st June.***Foodbank - Weekly Message from Lynda Delf: On Sunday 7th June, £60.00 and 4kg of food was donated in Church, and £20.00 was anonymously posted through our letterbox.Many thanks for all you do to support our local foodbanks.Our current shortages include sugar, jam, rice, coffee, biscuits, kettle food (such as instant soup and noodles), tinned meat, fish, tomatoes, potatoes, fruit and rice pudding. We always need long-life fruit juice, milk, household cleaning materials, nappies and toilet rolls.Thank you so much.For your Prayers: Amongst the Sick - Angie Robley.With All Good Wishes and Prayers, PeterThe Reverend Peter Kashouris St Oswald's Vicarage, Church Street, Durham pzkashouris@gmail.com
