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 11 am, 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 6 pm 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 10 am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30 am till round about 5 pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

Saturday, 13th December 2025 - Advent:

The Feast of St Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse 304

The Commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784

Ember Day

The Collect of the Day:

God our redeemer, who gave light to the world that was in darkness by the healing power of the Saviour's cross: shed that light on us, we pray, that with your martyr Lucy we may, by the purity of our lives, reflect the light of Christ and, by the merits of his passion, come to the light of everlasting life; 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 Prayer for the Day:

Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God.

Amen.

The Church of England.

A Prayer for the Season of Advent:

During this month of Advent, as we make preparations for Christmas, let us remember people living away from home through strife, war, famine, fear and political instability. Just as there was no room for Mary and Joseph at the inn, there is often no room for people rejected by their own communities.

Let us pray for all political leaders to help them to make wise decisions about refugees and asylum seekers. We pray that your command to love our neighbour is lived out by our nation.

We pray for all those who work to help elevate the suffering and poverty caused by war, famine and political crises. Lord there are those who work formally through the United Nations and those who minster through many charities may they all be given the strength to carry on in all conditions and the knowledge that you are there with them.

We pray that through the love of Jesus many will find hope this Christmas.

Amen.

World Day of Prayer - England, Wales and Northern Ireland.