St Helen, Kelloe

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).

Thursday, 30th April 2026 - Easter Season: Pandita Mary Ramabai, Translator of the Scriptures, 1922 [Commemoration]

The Ordination and Consecration of the Venerable Rick Simpson - Archdeacon of Auckland to be Bishop of Durham, the Reverend Canon Dr Michael Leyden - Dean of Emmanuel Theological College and Associate Minister at St Peter’s (Chester) to be Bishop of Penrith and the Very Reverend Simon Robinson - Dean of Truro and Rector of St Mary’s (Truro) to be Bishop of Warrington—the Service takes place at York Minster - the Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York

People must not only hear about the kingdom of God, but must see it in actual operation, on a small scale perhaps and in imperfect form, but a real demonstration nevertheless.

Pandita Mary Ramabai

Alleluia, Alleluia!

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Alleluia!

Romans 6:9-11, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,,“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’

Luke 4:1-8, New Revised Standard Version - Anglicized Edition

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Common Worship

A Collect for the Ordination and Consecration of Bishops:

Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and didst charge them to feed thy flock: Give grace, we beseech thee, to all Bishops, the Pastors of thy Church, that they may diligently preach thy Word, and duly administer the godly discipline thereof; and grant to the people, that they may obediently follow the same; that all may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1662)

A Prayer for Good Shepherd Sunday:

Good Shepherd of the sheep by whom we the lost are sought and guided into the fold; feed us and we shall be satisfied, heal us and we shall be whole. In this ongoing season of walking within the shadow of levels and bubbles, thank you that you walk with us giving strength and peace. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.

Amen.

Northwest Anglican - Church of the Good Shepherd, Massey, Auckland, NZ (Part of the Diocese of Auckland in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia)

A Prayer for Those in Fear of Death, that They may Find Faith Through the Resurrection:

Jesus, Lord, don't let the fear of death overpower us.
And don't let the loss of our loved ones
cause us to doubt your power to "Easter" everybody.
Remind us, Lord,
that you have the last words over death.
You are risen!
You are not "among the dead".
Neither are we.
We shall live forever in your triumphant love.

Amen.

The Missionary Society of St Columban, US

Durham Diocesan Prayer Cycle Deanery Intention for the Month:

April 2026 - Chester-le-Street and Houghton Deanery

The Prayer of St 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 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's

Please read about our safeguarding measures at Safeguarding (stmaryscoxhoe.co.uk)

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