Rev Rod: I’m retiring – but I will still be here!
head teacher I am, without Rod’s guidance. We will all miss him greatly.”
Rev Garner was also made a canon by Liverpool Cathedral in 2007 in recognition of his services to the diocese.
Although he is due to officially retire next month and will stand down from Holy Trinity Church, he vows that he will continue working in the community.
He said: “You can never stop being a priest. It isn’t a job, it is who I am.
“Once you are ordained, you are ordained until the day you die. The commitment will last until the end of my life.”
He added: “I think I will miss the huge network of relationships I have built over the years. Some won’t end completely, but they will all change. It will be a huge transition.”
Over the past two decades he has had a “full diary all of the time” – but he hopes to have more free time in retirement.
It seems his life will still be just as busy, though, as he has already been asked by Liverpool Hope University to write a biography of Cardinal John Henry Newman – the influential 19th century priest, poet and theologian – and is to begin teaching at the All Saints ministry course – which prepares candidates for the ministry in the North West.
His retirement comes after the restoration of Holy Trinity Church, cost- ing £600,000, has been completed. The restoration came after the Grade II* – listed building was placed on the “at risk” register by Heritage England.
A ceremony was held at the church just last week to celebrate the end of the restoration – where key contributors to the project were each given a small stone cross carved out of the brick of Holy Trinity Church.
Rev Garner said: “I am really pleased that the church is now in top condition, I began to worry that it wouldn’t be finished before I retired.
“Having been involved in the restoration for years, I am proud and satisfied to see Trinity standing tall in good condition.”
With his retirement date approaching, Rev Garner has given much thought to his career so far .
He said he had taken great pleasure from being able to write books, oversee the building restoration and travel to America to teach and preach.
But, he also has some regrets.
He explained: “I have had deep involvement with the needs of the community within my ministry, but this comes with pressures and dangers.
“There were times I was so absorbed in trying to help, my family have had to take a back seat, which has been them.
“I can recall times that family holidays have been postponed or cancelled because of work commitments.
“Although this is something I regret, it is part of the learning curve of being a minister.”
In retirement, however, Rev Garner said he difficult for planned to spent quality time with his family, including his wife of 44 years, Christine.
The couple have two children, Daniel and George, and two grandchildren Bram, three, and nine-month-old Heath.
Rev Garner’s leaving service will take place at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, February 18.