The Revd Luke Aylen, a PhD research student and a self-supporting Curate at St Peter and St James’ Church in Hereford city centre has been awarded a John Cosin Scholarship by the Prayer Book Society.

The scholarship, worth £2,000 a year, is awarded by the PBS and renewable for up to three years. It encourages postgraduate research in areas of study relating directly to the Book of Common Prayer.

Luke studied at Aberdeen University, the London School of Theology and Trinity College Bristol. He is working on a PhD Thesis entitled, 'Examining the Use and Misuse of Vocation Theology in the Church of England: A Theological and Practical Study of Christian Call Drawing on the Stories of Members of Religious Communities'.

Luke’s thesis is being completed part time and is due to be submitted in the Spring of 2025

The former freelance video director and editor says, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Prayer Book Society for selecting me as a recipient for the John Cosin Scholarship. The money will play a vital role in supporting me to do this research. I look forward contributing with some of the insights from my research in due course.”

The chairman of the awarding panel, the Revd Dr Daniel Newman, PBS Trustee adds, “Luke is a highly commended applicant, and we are delighted to award this scholarship to support research evaluating the church’s current understanding of an important area of its life in light of the Book of Common Prayer. We look forward to his contribution to one of our events or publications.”

The Prayer Book Society is celebrating 50 years of keeping the Book of Common Prayer at the heart of the Church of England.

Photo: Hereford Diocese.