A BITTERSWEET farewell marked the end of a decade of service by the beloved Rev. Philip Tocknell and his family Sunday at Greenmount United Methodist Church.

Tocknell has been appointed to Baldwin United Methodist Church in Millersville, Anne Arundel County. The Tocknell family includes wife Debbie, and the couple's children, Emily, 13, and Jonathan, 19.

"This is very hard on us. We were very fortunate and blessed to have them for 10 years. But since they're itinerant pastors, when the bishop asks you to move, you must go," said Connie Cole, church lay leader.

An informal farewell reception was given Sunday for the congregation, which numbers about 150 any Sunday. The Tocknells start at their new church Monday.

The incoming pastor, the Rev. Jerry Grace, and his wife, Jackie, served locally at Mount Gilead and Patapsco churches from 1985 to 1988, where some of the Greenmount congregation became familiar with the family, which includes son Richard, 23.

Cole, who has been a member of the church for 30 years, recalled the energetic leadership the Tocknells showed when they moved to North Carroll in 1992 from a church near Frederick. At first, he served two churches, Greenmount and Grace United Methodist, until two pastors were needed for growing congregations.

"Phil and Debbie have a team ministry. Without the support of Debbie, Phil couldn't be what he is," Cole said. She described how, during their tenure in North Carroll, the Tocknells helped families grow up.

"They've given baptisms and marriages. They've given baptisms to children from those marriages. There has never been a time when he hasn't been there. For every hospital stay, he was there for us. Just pick up the phone, and he would be there. They have been like family members," Cole said.

The pastor and wife sang in the choir. Debbie Tocknell was the church secretary. They energized the youth program with church lock-in programs and retreats to Ocean City. Children sat in the pastor's lap for children's Sunday sermons and went to a children's church service.

They served the community beyond the church doors. Tocknell was assistant chaplain for Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department. He performed weddings and funerals for people who were outside the congregation. Debbie Tocknell volunteered at North East Social Action Program for many years.

"He taught that Jesus dwells within your heart, not within a church building," Cole said. "They had great compassion for people. It's hard to say goodbye."

Wild, Wild West

The Wild West rides to life at 4 p.m. every Saturday during the summer, when the cowboys at River Valley Ranch present a free rodeo with bull riding, lasso tossing and tricks on horseback. Visitors sit in a rustic stadium to watch cowboys humanely wrangle ranch animals large and small.

For almost 50 years, the ranch has offered a wholesome Western-theme environment with a Christian outlook. The Western town could be in Texas. Behind weathered porches are the trading post, snack bar and jail. The ice wagon serves snowballs.

Picnic grounds are free, and Wild West activities are offered at minimal cost. Reservations are suggested for trail rides on horseback and the new climbing tower. Reservations can be made online. Pony rides for children younger than age 7 are given from 10 a.m. to noon. The ranch has a petting zoo.

Hay wagon rides, at $5 and $3 for children younger than age 12, give a guided tour of the ranch and a chance to feed a buffalo. The newly renovated Olympic-sized swimming pool is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 and $3 for children. An authentic cowboy supper is served from a chuck wagon at 5 p.m. The cost is $6, $3 for children.

River Valley Ranch is at 4443 Grave Run Road, in Millers. Information: 800-965-9324 or www.rivervalleyranch.com

Manchester parks

Manchester Parks Foundation will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Charlotte's Quest Nature Center, 3400 Wilhelm Lane, Manchester.

In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at Manchester Town Office on York Street.

The foundation volunteers are stewards for the environmental area and help develop park programs. New volunteers are welcome.

Information: 410-374-3395.

Pat Brodowski's North neighborhood column appears each Wednesday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.