Durham Churches Together New Year's Eve Service at Durham Cathedral

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral, Durham, DH1 3EH

Durham Churches Together are holding a special New Year's Eve service to reflect on the year past and welcome the new year to come. We join our friends in Christ from the various churches in and around the City for this service at the Cathedral.

An ecumenical candlelit service to which all ages are invited. A candlelight procession (bring your own candles or lanterns) will depart Durham Market Place at 5pm and proceed to the Cathedral to join those who prefer to gather in the Cathedral.

Preacher:
Father Andrew Downie, Parish Priest of St Cuthbert's Catholic Church, Durham and Catholic Chaplain to Durham University.

Everyone is very welcome.

And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

(John 1:32-33, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition).

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was circumcised in obedience to the law for our sake and given the Name that is above every name: give us grace faithfully to bear his Name, to worship him in the freedom of the Spirit, and to proclaim him as the Saviour of the world; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

(Common Worship).

A Prayer as we Approach the New Year:

Gracious God, as the trappings of Christmas get packed away and we
turn our minds to the New Year, we thank you so much that your
astonishing gift of love for us will never grow old, never wear away
and never be out of season. Help us to remember and treasure those
moments over Christmas when we have felt that love welling up in
us. Help us to keep making room for it in our hearts, and help us to be
even more enthusiastic to share it with others.

Amen.

(Lyndall Bywater, UKI Boiler Room Team, The Salvation Army UK and Ireland).

Another year its course has run;
thy loving care renew:
forgive the ill that we have done,
the good we failed to do.

(Verse 2 of Hymn #82, O God, whom neither time nor space by Horace Smith 1836-1922, Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern).

St Oswald's wishes you a New Year filled with the joy of God's love, the blessing of his hope and the promise of his presence.

More info

St Oswald's, Durham

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 11:00am, 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 6:00pm 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 10:00am on Wednesdays, and the church is usually open from 9:30am till round about 5:00pm (or dusk, if earlier) on weekdays.

The latest editions of the weekly news-sheet and music notes are in the 'News' tab, and please ask if you'd like to join the mailing list. Here are links to bell ringing and choir and concert info. We have a strong connection with St Oswald's Primary and Nursery School, and with our neighbouring parishes within The Benefice of the Three Saints—St Mary's (Shincliffe), St Mary's (Coxhoe) and St Helen's (Kelloe). 

Wednesday, 8th July 2026 - Ordinary Time

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all thy faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve thee in holiness and truth, to the glory of thy name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship 

Verses from the First Reading Appointed for Today's Morning Prayer:

Prophecy Against Eli's Household

Now Eli was very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He said to them, ‘Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. If one person sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the Lord; but if someone sins against the Lord, who can make intercession?’ But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the Lord to kill them.

1 Samuel 2:22-25, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition 

A Prayer for All Affected by the Recent Earthquakes in Venezuela:

Gracious God, our refuge and strength, we pray for the people of Venezuela following the recent earthquakes. Comfort those who mourn, heal the injured, protect those still awaiting rescue, and strengthen all who are working to bring relief and care. Give wisdom to those leading the response, generosity to those able to help, and hope to all who are facing loss and uncertainty. We pray especially for those who know and love you in Venezuela: strengthen their trust in you, fill them with compassion, and use them to point others to the hope that is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. In his name we pray.

Amen.

The Anglican Diocese of Bathurst (The Anglican Church of Australia)

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

July 2026 - Wearmouth Deanery

A Prayer of St Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us kneel together, and pray the true, the ever living and almighty God to protect us in his mercy from the arrogant savagery of our enemies, for he knows that we fight in a just cause for the preservation of our nation.

Amen. 

Saints of the North 

(Prayed by King Oswald with his Army on the Battlefield on the Eve of the Battle of Heavenfield, AD634)





















Get in touch

Revd. Peter Kashouris

St. Oswald's Vicarage,
Church Street

DH1 3DG
Vicarage
0191 374 1681
Parish Office
0191 383 0830
What's on

Durham Churches Together New Year's Eve Service at Durham Cathedral

for 1 hour, 30 mins
Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral, Durham, DH1 3EH

Durham Churches Together are holding a special New Year's Eve service to reflect on the year past and welcome the new year to come. We join our friends in Christ from the various churches in and around the City for this service at the Cathedral.

An ecumenical candlelit service to which all ages are invited. A candlelight procession (bring your own candles or lanterns) will depart Durham Market Place at 5pm and proceed to the Cathedral to join those who prefer to gather in the Cathedral.

Preacher:
Father Andrew Downie, Parish Priest of St Cuthbert's Catholic Church, Durham and Catholic Chaplain to Durham University.

Everyone is very welcome.

And John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

(John 1:32-33, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition).

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was circumcised in obedience to the law for our sake and given the Name that is above every name: give us grace faithfully to bear his Name, to worship him in the freedom of the Spirit, and to proclaim him as the Saviour of the world; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

(Common Worship).

A Prayer as we Approach the New Year:

Gracious God, as the trappings of Christmas get packed away and we
turn our minds to the New Year, we thank you so much that your
astonishing gift of love for us will never grow old, never wear away
and never be out of season. Help us to remember and treasure those
moments over Christmas when we have felt that love welling up in
us. Help us to keep making room for it in our hearts, and help us to be
even more enthusiastic to share it with others.

Amen.

(Lyndall Bywater, UKI Boiler Room Team, The Salvation Army UK and Ireland).

Another year its course has run;
thy loving care renew:
forgive the ill that we have done,
the good we failed to do.

(Verse 2 of Hymn #82, O God, whom neither time nor space by Horace Smith 1836-1922, Common Praise - A new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern).

St Oswald's wishes you a New Year filled with the joy of God's love, the blessing of his hope and the promise of his presence.

More info

Safeguarding

The parish of St. Oswald's, Durham is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults.

Please click through to our safeguarding page for more information.

St. Oswald's safeguarding page

St Oswald's, Durham Charity No. 1196296