A prayerful and reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer. Roughly every other Sunday in term time, a full choral evensong is held.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 8th March 2026 - Lententide: The Third Sunday in Lent

Choral Evensong - Sung by the Chapel Choir of St John's College, Durham University

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

(Ephesians 6:10-13, King James Version)

Hymns:
386
20

Psalms:
40

Lessons:
Joshua 1:1-9
Ephesians 6:10-20

***Please see the 'Parish Eucharist' page for the Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle intentions for the day, along with the Deanery for the month, and the Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle intentions for the day.***

The Collect of the Day:

We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000); SP = Sing Praise: Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (2010).***

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A monthly event which usually takes place on the second Tuesday of the month. Pop in for tea, coffee and a chat.

Free entry; all are very welcome.

***Proceeds from March's Tea & Talk will go to DEBRA - the Butterfly Skin Charity; further details can be found by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.***

A short time of reflection, designed to be a benefit for parents dropping off children at the school, with a concluding prayer and coffee. All are very welcome.

Please click on the attachment below for further information.

Wednesday, 11th March 2026 - Lenten Season

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A prayerful, reflective service from the Book of Common Prayer, held in the chancel.

Tea, coffee and chat afterwards in the vestry.

All are very welcome.

Wednesday, 11th March 2026 - Lententide

Midweek Holy Communion

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

(Hebrews 6:13-16, King James Version)

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago (West Indies) - the Right Reverend Claude Berkley

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Benfieldside, St Cuthbert: Vicar - the Reverend Martin Jackson and Retired Clergy with Permission to Officiate - the Reverend Phil Carter

Safeguarding Advisory Panel: Diocesan Safeguarding Officer - Beth Miller and Support Officer - Wendy Hopkins

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

We beseech thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of thy humble servants, and stretch forth the right hand of thy Majesty, to be our defence against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all them that are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Post Communion:

O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

Amen.

Durham University Concert Band Presents To Infinity! (and a little bit further...).

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

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Durham University Palatinate Orchestra's Palatinate Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

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The worshipping heart of parish life; a Common Worship service including Holy Communion, with refreshments afterwards in the Institute across the road.

All are very welcome.

Sunday, 8th March 2026 - Lenten Season: The Third Sunday of Lent

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there for two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’

(John 4:39-42, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition)

Setting:
Mathias - Communion Service

Hymns:
368
469
397
496

Psalms:
95

Readings:
Exodus 17:1-7
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42

Anglican Communion Prayer Cycle Intention for the Day:

The Diocese of Jerusalem (The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and The Middle East) - the Most Reverend Hosam Naoum

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Intentions for the Day:

Hospital Chaplains: the Reverend Norma Clee and Joanne Nicholson - County Durham and Darlington; the Reverend Canon Remi Omole - Sunderland; Vacant - Sherburn; the Reverend Gareth Rowlands and the Reverend Joan Urwin - Gateshead and North Tees and Hartlepool; the Reverend Pat Bealing and the Reverend Gordon Tough - South Tyneside; the Reverend Canon Colin Jay, the Reverend Debbie Baker and the Reverend Christine Britcliffe - Tees, Esk and Wear Valley

The Pulse: for young people - 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Cathedral

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Monthly Deanery Intention - March 2026:

Lanchester Deanery

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; 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.

The Post Communion:

Merciful Lord, grant your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

***Unless otherwise stated, all hymns are from Common Praise: A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern (2000); SP = Sing Praise: Hymns and Songs for Refreshing Worship (2010).***

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Durham University Classical Ensemble presents Beethoven's Fourth Symphony.

Please click on 'MORE INFO' below for further details and to book tickets.

We join our friends at Durham Cathedral for a special celebratory Choral Evensong and Procession to the Feretory to mark the Feast of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, who is often regarded as the Patron Saint of Durham and the North of England.

This event is particularly significant for our Parish, as King Oswald of Northumbria's head is buried with Cuthbert in Cuthbert's tomb, which is located in the Shrine at the Cathedral.

This service begins in the half-light with candles and incense and the great replica of the Lindisfarne Gospels, and ends with a procession by the whole congregation to the Shrine of St Cuthbert in the Feretory. Everyone is very welcome.

Drinks in the Cathedral will follow the service, to which all are also warmly invited.

Choir:
Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers with the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars and Junior Consort

Guest Preacher:
Rhidian Brook – Novelist, Screenwriter and Broadcaster

A Pilgrimage Walk from Chester-le-Street to Durham via Finchale Priory, as part of Durham Cathedral's St Cuthbert celebrations.

Pilgrims are invited to gather at St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church Parish Centre, Chester-le-Street for refreshments from 9:00am, ahead of a short service of Morning Prayer at 9:30am, prior to departing at 10:00am.

Walking pilgrims are also welcome to join later at Finchale Priory, during the lunch break from 12:30pm, before the group departs for Durham at 1:00pm.

Arrival at the Cathedral will be in good time for a special celebration of the Eucharist at 4:00pm.

Travel: You can get to Chester-le-Street by train (a 15-minute journey from Durham) or by local bus; Arriva service X12 from St Mary's - Coxhoe, the Seven Stars Inn near St Mary's - Shincliffe, and St Oswald's - Durham or Go North East service 21, X21 or 50 from Durham Bus Station. A bus transporting people to Finchale Priory will leave Durham, County Hall at 12:15pm (with free car parking that day). The bus to Finchale costs £7.00 per person. You can book the bus to Finchale Priory or sign up for the walk from Chester-le-Street by clicking on 'MORE INFO' below.

This is a very special experience where people from across the UK who come to Durham for this walk and service are welcomed. Come on your own or with friends and enjoy a very moving journey walking in the steps of the saints.

All are very welcome.

A Festal Eucharist will be held at Durham Cathedral in honour of St Cuthbert. The Bishop of Jarrow will preside and the preacher will be The Very Reverend Doctor Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham.

The service will also provide those in attendance with an opportunity to bid farewell to Bishop Sarah as she leaves Durham to become Bishop of Ely.

The service will be sung jointly by Durham and Newcastle Cathedral Choirs. The setting will be Kodaly Missa Brevis and the anthem will be Dupré Tantum ergo.

All congregational seating is unreserved and the service will last about one hour.

All are very welcome.

All are very welcome to join us at our Parish Eucharist on Palm Sunday, marking Christ's entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a service of Holy Communion at St Mary's to mark the Tuesday of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a service of Holy Communion to mark the Wednesday of Holy Week.

All are very welcome to join us for a special service of the Eucharist with the Stripping of the Altars and Watch, marking Maundy Thursday.

All are very welcome to join us on Good Friday for the Liturgy of the Day and Sung Passion, marking the Crucifixion and Death of Christ.

A special late evening service of light on the Holy Saturday celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.

All are very welcome.

A joyful service on Easter Day celebrating the Resurrection of God's only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

All are very welcome.