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, 5th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Fifth Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Parish Lunch in the Institute (please see note below)6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP)Wednesday - Ordinary Time9:00am - Oasis 10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 12th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Sixth Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP) Tuesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of John Keble, Priest, Tractarian and Poet, 1866 [Lesser Festival]2:00pm - Tea and Talk in the Institute Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, C862 [Lesser Festival]; The Feast of St Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop and Teacher of the Faith, 1274 [Commemoration]9:00am - Oasis10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 19th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Seventh Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP) Wednesday - Ordinary Time: The Feast of St Mary Magdalene10:00am - Midweek Holy Communion (BCP)Sunday, 26th July 2026 - Ordinary Time: The Eighth Sunday after Trinity11:00am - Parish Eucharist (CW) followed by Tea and Coffee in the Institute6:00pm - Said Evensong with Hymns (BCP) ***Please see the Calendar of Services attached.*** Parish Lunch: Sunday, 5th July after Parish Eucharist. We look forward to one of our enjoyable lunches; this will be a summer cold buffet. If you would like to bring something, that would be great. There will be a notice circulating with the option of providing a sweet or savoury dish for you to sign; drinks provided. Thanks, Sondra.Foodbank: Weekly Message from Lynda Delf - On Sunday 21st June, 10kg of food was donated and a parishioner gave me £10.00 and 4kg of food; £20.00 was anonymously posted through our door. On Sunday 28th June, 1kg of food was collected in Church. This will provide meals for more than 18 people. In June, 27kg of food and £210.00 was given by parishioners.This week, our shortages include household cleaning materials, toilet rolls, long-life fruit juice and milk and kettle food such as noodles and instant soup. We also need sugar, jam, rice, coffee, teabags, biscuits, tinned meat, fish, tomatoes, potatoes, spaghetti, and rice pudding.Thank you so much for everything you do to support people who visit our foodbanks. For your Prayers: Amongst the Sick - Angie Robley.For the Repose of the Souls of the Faithful Departed - Lucy Sarland RIP. Lucy is Sarah Knight’s sister. Her funeral will take place next week at Norwich.With All Good Wishes and Prayers, Peter.The Reverend Peter KashourisSt Oswald's VicarageChurch StreetDurhamDH1 3DQpzkashouris@gmail.com
