There are a number of services and events happening across the Diocese of Durham during Lent and Easter.
Please feel free to browse the events below. If your church is hosting an event not listed, please get in touch with our Communications Team at communications@durham.anglican.org.
Palm Sunday
Sung Eucharist with Procession of Palms at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 13 April 10.30am
Beginning outside of Palace Green, the clergy process into the Cathedral, echoing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Members of the congregation are given palm crosses, representing Christ’s victory over death on the cross
Palm Sunday Service at St. Paul's Hunwick | Sunday 13 April 9am
Parish Mass with Blessing of Palms
Holy Eucharist at St. John's Jarrow | Sunday 13 April 9am
Holy Communion at Whitworth Church | Sunday 13 April 9am
Palm crosses will be distributed during the service.
Holy Eucharist at St. Simon's, Simonside | Sunday 13 April 9.15am
Communion Service at St. Mary's Staindrop | Sunday 13 April 9.15am
Communion Service at St. Michael's Church Heighington | Sunday 13 April 9.30am
The triumphant entry into Jesusalem by Jesus with the blessing of Palm Crosses
Sung Communion at St. Mary West Acklam | Sunday 13 April 10am
With the Passion Readings and Blessing of Palm Crosses
Holy Communion with Hymns and Palm Crosses at All Saints Langley Park | Sunday 13 April 10.15am
Morning Gathering at Alive Church Gateshead | Sunday 13 April 10.30am
An informal gathering in the morning. Here we worship, share stories of what God is doing and hear from the Bible. Toady we focus on the events of the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. All ages will worship together in church, with separate additional activities for children.
Palm Sunday Mass with Procession at St. Chad's Bensham | Sunday 13 April 10.30am
With a short procession outside of church and the blessing of the palms.
Procession and Holy Communion at St. Paul's Spennymoor | Sunday 13 April 10.30am
Join us as we begin Holy Week with a joyful Palm Sunday procession from the St Paul's Centre to Church.
Blessing & Distribution of Palms, Procession & Eucharist at St. Stephen's Willington | Sunday 13 April 10.30am
Holy Eucharist at St. Paul's Jarrow | Sunday 13 April 11am
Holy Communion at St. Aidan Chilton | Sunday 13 April 11am
Palm Sunday service with dramatised readings and Palm crosses and Holy Communion. Short procession from church gates into St Aidan's church.
Palm Sunday Service at All Saints Stranton | Sunday 13 April 11am
Holy Communion at St. John the Evangelist Ingleton | Sunday 13 April 11am
Holy Eucharist at St. Peter's Jarrow | Sunday 13 April 11am
St John Passion performed by Durham Cathedral Choir and the Avison Ensemble at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 13 April 6pm
Durham Cathedral Choir joins forces with Avison Ensemble to perform Bach's stunning St John Passion. This unmissable concert will be conducted by Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral.
Holy Monday
Stations of the Cross at Durham Cathedral | Monday 14 April 7.30pm
Join us as we journey through the cathedral taking pause to pray at the 'Stations of the Cross' as we remember Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion.
Maundy Thursday
Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral | Thursday 17 April 11am (ticketed, invited guest only)
Holy Eucharist at St. John's Jarrow | Thursday 17 April 7pm
with footwashing and vigil
Holy Communion St. Mary West Acklam | Thursday 17 April 7pm
Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar.
Liturgy of Maundy Thursday at St. Chad's Bensham | Thursday 17 April 7pm
The beginning of the Holy Triduum with foot washing, Holy Communion, and watch.
Holy Eucharist & Watch at St. Stephen's Willington | Thursday 17 April 7pm
Stripping of the Altars at Durham Cathedral | Thursday 17 April 7.30pm
During this service, we commemorate Jesus instituting Eucharist during the Last Supper and remember his washing of his disciples' feet. We process down to the Galilee Chapel to reflect on his betrayal and arrest in Durham’s ancient 'Judas Cup Ceremony', before the altar is stripped and the cathedral is sent into darkness. This is followed by a Watch at the Altar of Repose, where we pray with Jesus in silence until 10.00pm.The preacher will be The Reverend Dr Kate Bruce, an RAF chaplain based at Brize Norton. Kate was previously a chaplain and Deputy Warden at St John's College Durham.
Holy Communion at St. Paul's Spennymoor | Thursday 17 April 7.30pm
On the eve of Good Friday we focus on The Last Supper and in a sombre act, we strip the altar in church of its coverings.
Maundy Thursday Communion at Alive Church Gateshead | Thursday 17 April 8pm
Good Friday
The Three Hours at Durham Cathedral | Friday 18 April from 12 noon
At the Three Hours Service, we commemorate the three hours that Christ suffered on the cross. We hear again the story of Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ arrest and trial, and Peter’s denial of Jesus, before we reach Jesus’ crucifixion and death. During this time, music is interspersed between contemplative reflections, prayers and silences. The preacher will be The Reverend Dr Kate Bruce.
Simple Good Friday Service at St. Mary's Staindrop | Friday 18 April 9.30am
Stations of the Cross on the Scotch Estate | Friday 18 April 10am
St. John's to St. Mary's with the Bishop of Jarrow.
Stations of the Cross St. Mary West Acklam | Friday 18 April 10am
Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar.
Good Friday Walk of Witness at St. Chad's Bensham | Friday 18 April 10.30am
Meet outside church for stations of the cross and a short open-air service, followed by hot cross buns in the hall.
Good Friday Gathering at Alive Church Gateshead | Friday 18 April 10.30am
An hour all age gathering as we remember the story of the cross through worship, prayer, a short thought and response. There’ll be cafe including hot cross buns after the gathering.
Last Hour of the Cross at St. Paul's Jarrow | Friday 18 April 2pm
With the Bishop of Jarrow
The Last Hour at St. Stephen's Willington | Friday 18 April 2pm
Service of Reflection and Meditation on the Cross at St. Michael's Church Heighington | 2pm
Hymns and Prayers at All Saints Langley Park | Friday 18 April 2pm
Good Friday Meditation at St. Paul's Spennymoor | Friday 18 April 2pm
We mark Good Friday by reflecting on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through scripture and music.
One Hour at the Cross at All Saints Stranton | Friday 18 April 2pm
Easter Sunday
Dawn Liturgy with baptism and confirmation at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 20 April at 5am
At the 5am service beginning in the cloister garth, we make the journey from darkness into light as the sun rises, and hear the ancient proclamation of Easter, the Exsultet. As we celebrate Christ’s victory over death with music and prayer, we also affirm our faith and witness baptisms and confirmations.The President and Preacher of this service is the Bishop of Jarrow.
Sunrise Service at Whitworth Church | Sunday 20 April 6am
Easter Fire Sunrise Service at St Matthew's and St Luke's Darlington | Sunday 20 April 5.45am
A service to celebrate Easter, held round a brazier near the church door, shortly after sunrise.
Sunrise Service at St. Mary West Acklam | Sunday 20 April 6.30am
Holy Communion at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 20 April at 8am
Holy Eucharist at St. John's Jarrow | Sunday 20 April 9am
Holy Communion (BCP) at St. Mary West Acklam | Sunday 20 April 9am
All Age Communion at Whitworth Church | Sunday 20 April 9am
Holy Eucharist at St. Simon's, Simonside | Sunday 20 April 9.15am
All Age Communion at St. Michael's Church Heighington | Sunday 20 April at 9.30am
Followed by egg rolling on the Village Green at 10.45am.
Sung Eucharist at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 20 April at 10am
Parish Communion at St. Mary West Acklam | Sunday 20 April 10am
Holy Communion at All Saints, Langley Park | Sunday 20 April at 10.15am
Easter Eucharist at St. Stephen's Willington | Sunday 20 April at 10.30am
All children at the 10.30am Easter Eucharist in St Stephen’s Church on Easter Day will be invited to join in the Easter Egg Hunt!!
Holy Communion at St. Chad's Bensham | Sunday 20 April at 10.30am
Join us as we celebrate Easter with songs, a sermon and Holy Communion.
Easter Sunday Celebration Service at Alive Church Gateahead | Sunday 20 April at 10.30am
Join us on Easter Sunday as we gather to celebrate Jesus' resurrection together. We'll have baptisms happening, worship, and lots of fun. We’ll have decorated the church for Easter Sunday to celebrate the abundant life and joy that Jesus brings, and epic cafe treats for after.
All Age Communion at St. Paul's Spennymoor | Sunday 20 April at 10.30am
Holy Eucharist at St. Peter's Jarrow | Sunday 20 April 11am
Holy Eucharist at St. Paul's Jarrow | Sunday 20 April 11am
Holy Communion at St. John the Evangelist Ingleton | Sunday 13 April 11am
Easter Day Family Communion at All Saints Stranton | Sunday 13 April 11am
Join us as we celebrate the Ressurection of Jesus Christ Refreshments tea, coffee, hot cross buns and biscuits
Matins at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 20 April at 11.30am
Evensong at Durham Cathedral | Sunday 20 April at 3.30pm