Advent
The first season of the church year, beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through the day before Christmas. The name is derived from a Latin word for “coming.” The season is a time of preparation and expectation for the coming celebration of our Lord's nativity, and for the final coming of Christ “in power and glory.”
Episcopal Church Glossary
Epiphany
The manifestation of Christ to the peoples of the earth. The winter solstice was kept on Jan. 6 at some places during the first centuries of the Christian Era. In opposition to pagan festivals, Christians chose this day to celebrate the various manifestations, or "epiphanies," of Jesus' divinity. These showings of his divinity included his birth, the coming of the Magi, his baptism, and the Wedding at Cana where he miraculously changed water into wine. The day was called "The Feast of Lights." Celebration of the Son of God replaced celebration of the sun. Baptisms were done, and a season of preparation was instituted. It was later called Advent.
The solstice was kept on Dec. 25 by the fourth century. Jesus' birth was celebrated on this day in both eastern and western churches. The western church commemorated the coming of the Magi on Jan. 6. The eastern church continued to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord and the Wedding at Cana on Jan. 6. In the east the day was called "Theophany" (manifestation of God).
The coming of the Magi is celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6, in the BCP. The Baptism of our Lord is celebrated on the First Sunday after the Epiphany.
The Episcopal Church Glossary
To all the fine folks interested in the Episcopal Church,
I have been working hard on our Episcopal 101 classes for this year. Just a few reminders regarding the class:
-If you would like to become an official member of the Episcopal Church, you need to enroll for the class and stick with it until the end. Talk to our Office Managers if you still need to sign up.
-Even though the class is mainly for people who want to be either confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, the class is open to everyone who wants to brush up on the Episcopalianism. Here is the sign up form.
-The class will be offered mostly online. On the 15 th of each month, a new class will be made available. Both church offices will send a link out so that people can easily access these classes.
-Those participating in Episcopal 101 will have a month to watch each video session after they are released. There will also be some follow up questions tagged at the end of each video. People will need to either submit an email or hand-written response to Fr TJ. By the 15 th of the following month.
-On January 15 th , two videos will come out. The first video will be an introductory explanation video. The second will be our first class. It is called, Anglican Anthropology: Image-Bearers of the Triune God.
-We will also gather in-person twice this year to discuss everything we have learned so far. Our first gathering will probably be in May (Fr TJ will keep you posted).
Thank you,
Fr TJ
A favorite tradition during Janesville Jolly Jingle, and at the right price - FREE!
The food and drink are delicious and made with love. We offer a variety of soups with varying dietary options (while they last.) Our warm and inviting Parish Hall is decked out for fun.
Ortmayer Hall is located on the corner of East Court Street and Atwood Avenue. An accessible entrance with elevator is located on the side of the building on Atwood Ave - clearly marked.
Happy people from the wider community have been making this stop a tradition for years. The Trolley will stop (you have to ask), so don’t worry about weather or Court St. Hill. If you’re driving, parking is available in the Atwood Avenue parking lot.
Yum! Yum! Yum!
GIFTS started at Trinity and over the years grew to a point where they have a beautiful setting for unhoused males. Trinity serves the ministry throughout the year but for two weeks, twice per year, we partner with First Lutheran church in a joint ministry of service.
Thank you to everyone who donated gifts for Jail Chaplaincy. Rev. TJ Humphrey blessed the gifts on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
Our Children’s Faith Formation collected various items and packaged Christmas boxes for children on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
