A PACKED church of more than 200 people said farewell to retiring Tilbury priest Father Tim Codling and his wife Jenny today (Sunday, 4 October), ahead of their retirement from St John the Baptist Church on Dock Road.

The couple have served Tilbury for almost 30 years and become much-loved over those decades.

Many tributes have been paid, as reported on Thurrock Nub News when the announcement of their departure was first made and then with news of a special, additional farewell event.

So, it was the turn of Father Tim to respond in front of the congregation.

He said: "I say goodbye after just 29 and a half years serving as priest here

"Given that length of time, it is not possible for me to say thank you to each of you personally and all who have been part of my ministry. I thank you all for being here today. I thank you for the countless messages. good wishes and prayers that have come my way.

Today is not just about St John's. The call of the priest is not just to their church. It is to the community too. I thank those of you for whom church is not your first call but who have invited me to share in your lives. It is an immense privilege.

We have shared great joys, deep sorrows and tragedies. I hope that I have brought the presence of Christ to you, however it is that we have been drawn together.

"It did not take long for me to take Tilbury to heart. The welcome I received in 1997 was very strong and warm.

"The call of the priest is to the church. To those of you who have had to put up with me for so long as your priest in St Johns I say thank you.

"We have had some extraordinary times together. When times were hard you were the unquestioning support. When times were good, we laughed and cried with laughter together. You put up with my odd ways and my mistakes. You have shaped my ministry in untold ways. As Christ's body in this place you were being invaluable to me I thank God for every one of you.

"I wish to record my debt to Jen also. For the best part of 20 years of marriage 0and longer prior to that) she has been the bedrock of my ministry. Her love and support cannot be stated in words. She brought the joy of a family which has grown into grandchildren to add new delights. She has always been there.

"Jen should be recognised for so much that she inspired in our work. In St Johns she led the refreshing and upgrading that gave new wiring, lighting, heating and a transformed church hall.

"She organised the sale of a church property, and adopting her project manager's hat lent upon/encouraged the network of local tradespeople to carry out the work. They have become our friends now. In the community she established relationships with individuals and agencies helping those in the greatest need.

"She helped to start the foodbank through the local base in Corringham. When Ukraine was invaded together with her friend Karen, the Vicarage became awash with donations.

"That effort continues still. More importantly those Ukrainians have become our friends.

"Jen has organised and gathered a loyal band of colleagues and friends to carry out this work. The Queen's award for voluntary service for her and them all is national recognition for this and so much more.

"However, the value of all this is seated in the heart of our community.

"Last but not least, I wish to thank God for calling me here. The best part of nearly half of my life has been as the vicar of Tilbury Docks. He had a plan for me which for which I am tremendously grateful."