A 97-year-old south Lakes man has today received a special award for his commitment to a life of prayer.

Arthur Moss, who lives in Kendal, is among the first to be presented with the Kilmister Award, a brand new annual award to be bestowed by the Prayer Book Society (PBS).

It recognises and celebrates the work of lay people who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the PBS, which brings together those who value the Book of Common Prayer.

Arthur, a Reader Emeritus of Holy Trinity Kendal – a church he has served for 50 years - said: “I suppose my reaction to news of the award was one of pride, pleasure and, of course, surprise as I didn’t know the Society had introduced these awards.

“Thirty years ago, I became chairman of the Carlisle Diocese branch of the Society, at a time when we needed to breath new life into the organisation. I felt called to accept that task and with the help of committed colleagues our membership quadrupled, and our activities became more well-known, attracting further support. By the time I gave up the chairmanship after 12 years, I’d like to think that the organisation had flourished.”

Arthur, who remains the branch President nominally, received a framed certificate and copy of the Book of Common Prayer and will also be sent a special medal engraved with the PBS logo. His was one of five such awards to be bestowed by the PBS this year, with recipients invited to attend their Annual Conference. Arthur could not make the journey so instead received his award at Holy Trinity Church Kendal, following a Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion Service.

It was presented to him by the Rev Eric Robinson, a former curate and vicar and Kendal Parish Church, and a friend to Arthur for 25 years.

He said: “It was an immense pleasure to be able to honour Arthur in this way. I first got to know Arthur when I was a curate in 1999. I soon realised that he was a man of God, his heart was central to the life of the church, and his faith was central to who he was as a human being.

“He approached me to see if I would like to be a member of the Prayer Book Society and it is one of the best things I’ve ever done. It introduced me to the Prayer Book as an immensely strong liturgical tool for the church, but it also introduced me to its spirituality and its language which I’ve valued ever since.”

The Book of Common Prayer (or Prayer Book) was first issued in 1549 and has been modified several times, principally in 1662. Today it is used in over 50 countries and can be found in 150 languages. The PBS has worked for 50 years to keep the Prayer Book at the heart of the Church of England.

The award is named after the Society’s founder, the late Tony Kilmister OBE, and will see a total of 50 awards presented over the next 10 years, five each year. People were invited to nominate recipients.

Bradley Smith, chairman of the PBS, said: “I am delighted that Arthur Moss is one of the first recipients of the Kilmister Award in the Society's 50th anniversary year. His dedicated service has been recognised by those who nominated him, and his exceptional work on behalf of the Carlisle Branch of the PBS has been judged by the Trustees to be worthy of the Award. I warmly congratulate him, and sincerely thank him for his outstanding contribution over many years.”

Arthur remains committed to the promotion of the Book of Common Prayer, a text he says, “strengthens adherence in the faith.”

He added: “It summarises our thoughts; you can listen to the words of the liturgy and apply them to yourself which is very uplifting. I believe it to be irreplaceable; what is coming in its place doesn’t even begin to compare. Only this week the funeral of Her Majesty The Queen was uplifted by the Anglican liturgy.

“This is a moment I shall treasure for the remainder of my days. I was brought up in the Prayer Book, taken to church at a very early age by my mother and, if it’s God’s will, I shall die in the Prayer Book.”

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.