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

Wednesday, 31st December 2025 (New Year's Eve) - Christmas Season; The Commemoration of John Wyclif, Reformer, 1384

The Collect of the Day:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; 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 for New Year's Eve:

Father God, You were there in the beginning. Through You, all things were made. In You we find life; in You we find light. Light that shines; light that cannot be overcome.

And yet, You did not stay far away; You moved in close. You were born to earth, and You stayed. You dwelt among your people with love, kindness, justice and mercy.

As we reflect on the year that has been, and look forward to what is to come, will You help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. May we, Your children, be a people who move in close and who stay. May we hold on to the light that shines in the darkness.

Amen.

Home For Good.

A Prayer for the Christmas Season:

God of the waiting and the watching ones we praise you that you sent your Son to meet us.

God of the frightened and the lonely ones we praise you that you sent your Son to calm and surround us.

God of the oppressed and marginalized ones we praise you that you sent your Son to liberate and include us.

God of the bereaved and hurting ones we praise you that you sent your Son to comfort and heal us.

This Christmas fill our hearts with your love, that like Mary and Joseph we would be willing to take risks to proclaim your love to a hurting world, stand up against injustice and share the hospitality of your kingdom.

We ask all this in the precious name of the Baby of Bethlehem.

Amen.

Embrace the Middle East.

Trust wholly in Christ; rely altogether on His sufferings; beware of seeking to be justified in any other way than by His righteousness. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation. There must be atonement made for sin according to the righteousness of God. The person to make this atonement must be God and man.

John Wyclif.

Everyone at St Oswald's wishes you a Christmas and New Year filled with the peace of God, the joy of the birth of Christ, and the hope of the Holy Spirit.