This Advent, we shall be supporting the Anglican Diocese of Goma in the Province of the Anglican Church of the Congo (Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo), a fellow member of the Anglican Communion.Please see the notice board at the back of Church or visit the following websites for further information:Gordons in Gomagordonsingoma.orgGoma Call for Peacegomacallforpeace.orgChurch Mission Society (CMS)churchmissionsociety.org/people-in-mission/martin-gordon-dr-congoAnglican Communion News Serviceanglicannews.org/tag/Goma.aspxStewardshipstewardship.org.uk/pages/gomaA Prayer for Good to Overcome Evil, and for Peace to Come to Goma and DR Congo:We thank you, Lord, for the peacemaking happening in Goma and across DR Congo. Thank you that you are bringing peace within people’s hearts, between individuals, among tribes. We pray for peacemakers to be raised up in communities big and small across the country, for good to overcome evil. We ask for your peace for DR Congo: not just a lack of conflict but a true, lasting peace that allows people to feel safe and know joy and hope for the future. Amen.Church Mission Society.
Saturday 6th, 7:30pm Durham University Palatinate Ensemble ConcertSunday, 7th December 2025 - The Second Sunday of Advent11am Parish Eucharist6pm Evening Prayer with HymnsTuesday 2pm Christmas Tea at the InstituteWednesday 10am Holy Communion, 5:15pm Grey College Carol ServiceSunday, 14th December 2025 - The Third Sunday of Advent11am Parish Eucharist6pm Christmas Carol ServicePlease see the Calendar of services attached.And also David’s Music Notes for AdventThe Christmas tree has come from High Grange Farm, Shincliffe and will cost, with a small reduction, £70. Anybody who would like to contribute to the cost is most welcome, to Roz or Andy!Evening Services - for your prayers. The Advent Carol Service last Sunday was super, many thanks to our choir, readers, and all the happy members of the congregation who helped to begin the Liturgical Year with such panache.Advent Outreach: This Advent we shall be supporting the Anglican Diocese of Goma, please see the attached information about this diocese.Foodbank – Weekly message from Lynda Delf : On 30th November 3kg of food was donated in Church, this will provide meals for 4 people, many thanks. There was also a new pair of children's ice shoes, I understand they have been there for a few weeks I will donate them to a local charity next week unless someone contacts me to claim them.In November £80 and 38kg of food was donated in Church, this will provide 47 meals Our current shortages are sugar, jam, biscuits, rice, tinned fruit juice, rice pudding, potatoes, tomatoes, fish, meat and kettle food. We always need long life milk and fruit juice toilet rolls and household cleaning materials. We are also still collecting festive food so those who have visited our food banks during the year will get a box of food at Christmas.Thank you for all you do to support our food banksAmongst the sick please pray for Angie Robley, Carol Simmons.With All Good Wishes and Prayers, PeterThe Reverend Peter Kashouris St Oswald's Vicarage, Church Street, Durham pzkashouris@gmail.com
There has been a bonfire every year in the churchyard for hundreds of years, and this year's bonfire took place, for once, on 5th November itself. Our usual crowd was even bigger than previously, with St. Oswald's schoolkids, students, and longstanding residents enjoying the fire, the sparklers, and the refreshments. Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a lovely evening, to Roz Layton for organising everything brilliantly, to everyone who contributed toffee, biscuits and sweets, and to Giles Radford, Scout Leader extraordinaire, silhouetted in the photo, for building and superintending the magnificent fire.
