St Mary's

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, 15th April 2026: Easter Season

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Alleluia!

1 Corinthians 5:7-8, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am saying this so that no one may deceive you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I rejoice to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:1-7, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may alway serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Prayer for all who are in Despair and Darkness, that they may find the Hope and Light of Christ:

Lord our trust is in you alone.
In a world with much despair and trouble,
where people are famished for hope we turn to you.
Make us strong to comfort those who are in despair.
Give us hope to encourage and strengthen those in trouble.
Send your unfailing love to surround those who are in harm's way.
Comfort the comforters,
Mourn with the mourners,
Protect the innocent,
Draw us all into the shelter of your wings.

Amen.

Christine Sine - Founder and Facilitator of Godspace

A Sonnet for the Second Sunday of Easter:

St Thomas the Apostle

"We do not know... how can we know the way?"
Courageous master of the awkward question,
You spoke the words the others dared not say
And cut through their evasion and abstraction.
Oh doubting Thomas, father of my faith,
You put your finger on the nub of things
We cannot love some disembodied wraith,
But flesh and blood must be our king of kings.
Your teaching is to touch, embrace, anoint,
Feel after Him and find Him in the flesh.
Because He loved your awkward counter-point
The Word has heard and granted you your wish.
Oh place my hands with yours, help me divine
The wounded God whose wounds are healing mine.

Sounding the Seasons - The Reverend Dr A Malcolm Guite, Canterbury Press Norwich, 2012

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery

The Prayer of Oswald of Northumbria:

Let us together implore the living and true and almighty God in his mercy to defend us against the pride and fierceness of our enemy; for that God knows our cause is just, and that we fight for the salvation of our nation.

Amen.

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

St Helen, Kelloe

Welcome to St Helen's Church, Kelloe. We are pleased you have found your way to us. We are busy building this page but hope you will check in now and then as we do so and more information is added.

It is important that you know we at St Helen's Church follow the House of Bishop's Safeguarding policies. This includes having our own Parish Safeguarding Officer.

St Mary the Virgin (Shincliffe)

Parish Communion Sunday at 9:30am.

We are a friendly church, welcoming all ages to our worship. We serve the parish of Shincliffe and have excellent links with Shincliffe Church of England Primary School. Children of all ages are welcomed and fully included in our services. We are here to serve the whole parish in any way we can.

We are also developing closer co-operation with our neighbouring parishes at St. Oswald Durham, St. Mary Coxhoe, and St. Helen, Kelloe. We take an active part in the life of the Deanery and Diocese of Durham.

Do contact us if you need anything.

The parish of Shincliffe is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer, PSO. The Diocese of Durham’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

For our safeguarding policy please see our Safeguarding page. To discuss any safeguarding concerns relating to St. Mary's Shincliffe, please contact either:

PSO, Stephen Goodhart, 0191 386 9047, [email protected]

Incumbent, The Rev'd Peter Kashouris, 0191 374 1681, [email protected]

Concerns can also be raised with the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Beth Miller.

Beth Miller, Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07968034075

St Mary the Less

Welcome to St Mary the Less, College Chapel of St John's College.

During term time Morning Prayer is at 8.30am Monday - Friday

Evening services in Chapel (during term time) Wednesday - Choral Evensong 5.15pm, Thursday - preaching service 4.30pm, Friday- Evening Prayer 5.15pm