Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-11-01 / 11-12. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 5 Rev. ALEXANDER JALSO’S 50th Year In the Ministry Surprise Party On Sunday, August 29th, the Homestead Church celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ordination of their minister, Rev. Alexander Jalso. Rev. Jalso graduated from the Reformed Theological Academy in Budapest, Hungary in 1954, then came to the United States and graduated from the Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1959 and was also ordained that same year. To make this anniversary truly special for Rev. Jalso, the Anniversary Committee decided to make it a surprise party as anyone who knows him knows that he would never want a fuss made over him for anything. The surprise party was announced during the church services while the minister was in Hungary attending his 50th reunion. Thus, The Bishop and some of the guest speakers were called and informed what Homestead wanted to do for Rev. Jalso and all agreed to keep it a secret. Rev. Jalso received a call from the Bishop saying he would be passing through the area and would like to attend the Homestead Church. The day started out with a special church service opened by Rev. Jalso with the Sermon conducted by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, and the Scripture Reading and Prayers being said by Rev. Stefan Torok, President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation and also a close friend of Rev. Jalso. The church service was followed by a catered luncheon and a brief reception at which time greetings were extended by Bishop Koloman K. Ludwig, Rev. Stefan Torok, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, Executive Director of the Bethlen Home, and Rev. Ilona Komjáthy, Dean of the Central Classis. During Rev. Bertalan’s special greeting, the Homestead Congregation made a donation of $5,000 to the Bethlen Home Building Fund. Our congregation would like to express their appreciation to Rev. Ilona Komjáthy and the Central Classis for the recent donation of $100 which they made to the Bethlen Home in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Rev. Jalso’s ordination. Also, greetings were read from the former Treasurer of the Calvin Synod, Wilburn A. Roby, and from the Beaver Falls Congregation. The Homestead Congregation, as a token of their appreciation for Rev. Jalso, gave him a lawnmower since his was broken and a $50 gift certificate to his favorite restaurant, the Olive Garden. As a special surprise for Rev. Jalso, calls were made to friends of his whom he had not only married but had also baptized his children. And as a special treat, the Congregation invited Rev. Jalso’s twin brother, Steven and his wife Shirley. We were also pleased that both of Rev. Jalso’s sons, Alex and Albert, and their wives and children were able to attend this special celebration. Several presentations were then made by Rev. Jalso’s two sons and his granddaughter Rowan Jalso and grandson, Morgan. Then both sons proceeded to praise their father and his many accomplishments, both in the ministerial fields and the civic field, including being Man of the Year in Brownsville. They then introduced Rev. Jalso who proceeded to thank those in attendance and now understood what the mysterious questions he received were about. Rev. Jalso was truly touched by the outpouring of love shown that day. His words to many were “I’ve never had it so good until I came to Homestead.” Then Rev. Jalso being Rev. Jalso promptly thanked those in attendance and promised retribution for those conspirators instrumental in the planning and carrying out of the surprise. After this he then announced to those present the recent appointment of Lisa Susan Toth as Treasurer of the Calvin Synod and promised his help and support in her promotion as he called it. As we, the Homestead Congregation have stated many times, We Feel Truly blessed to have Rev. Jalso as our Minister and we pray that God grants us another 50 years with him. LisaS. Toth, Treasurer First Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead Rev. Alexander Jalso at church for the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination (Photograph is courtesi of Alex Patho Photography) Rev. Alexander Jalso and his family. (Photography is courtesy of Alex Patho Photography)
