Events
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, January 28, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, January 26.
Game Night
Friday, January 30, 6-8 pm
Tons of games, free pizza, and prizes. Escape the cold and dreary weather with us at Pres House! All are welcome, so please bring a friend or two.
BWAP Stories
Sunday, February 1, 4:30 pm
Join us for worship and hear stories from students who participated in this year’s Break With a Purpose trip!
Candid Workshop: "Winning Between Our Ears"
Tuesday, February 3, 5:00-6:30 pm
Our mind can be our harshest critic or our superpower. Learn some mental and mindset shifts that can make all the difference between spiraling down or rising up!
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
Trans-figuration Sunday
Sunday, February 15, 4:30 pm
Traditionally celebrated on the Sunday before Lent begins, Transfiguration Sunday commemorates Jesus’ mountaintop transfiguration. On this day at Pres House, we also celebrate the lives and witness of LGBTQ+ students — and particularly transgender students — who may likewise experience a “transfiguration.” Students in the Pres House community who have already changed, or wish to change, their given name can participate in a re-naming ritual on Trans-figuration Sunday; please reach out to a pastor if you are interested.
Ash Wednesday Service & Dinner
Wednesday, February 18, 6 pm
Begin your Lenten journey at Pres House with an evening Ash Wednesday service and dinner, with prayers and reflections offered by Pres House students.
What's Next? A Group for Graduating Students
Thursday, February 19, 5:30-6:30 pm
What’s Next? is a space for graduating students to talk about the challenges and possibilities of the major life transition that is graduation! We cover topics like money, relationships, career, and values.
Winter Retreat: "Hell, No!" Embracing God's Universal Love
February 20-22 ~ Lake Waubesa
Retreats with Pres House are a great way to take a break from your normal routine and enjoy some time away from campus with friends! We eat, play, and make memories together while holding space for spiritual reflection and conversation. Whether you are brand new to Pres House or have been a part of the community for years, going on a Pres House retreat is one of the best ways to build relationships at Pres House.
Theme: “Hell, No! Embracing God’s Universal Love”
Do you have to believe in Hell to be a Christian? Brian Recker, our Winter Retreat speaker this year, says no — Hell isn’t a real place, and God’s universal love is radically inclusive, in this life and the next.
Join us as we trace the roots of our ideas about Hell (and Heaven), examine the impacts of Hell and fear-based spirituality on our lives, and explore together how we can embrace a spirituality of love.
The registration fee for all Pres House retreats is $70. However, if you are a first-time retreat attendee, you will automatically receive a $10 discount. Scholarships are available if you cannot pay the full registration fee; contact Pastor Nii Addo before registering to request a scholarship.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, February 25, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, February 23.
A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide
Wednesdays during Lent, 12-1 pm
All UW-Madison students are invited to join us for this five-week Lenten series! Come engage in meaningful conversation about what it means to be a person of faith in a time of genocide and how we can use our power to respond with solidarity and compassion to the suffering of our Palestinian siblings.
Candid Workshop: "Letting Go of Perfect"
Tuesday, March 3, 5:00-6:30 pm
A workshop on why (and how) embracing progress and growth will produce better (and happier) results!
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
What's Next? A Group for Graduating Students
Thursday, March 19, 5:30-6:30 pm
What’s Next? is a space for graduating students to talk about the challenges and possibilities of the major life transition that is graduation! We cover topics like money, relationships, career, and values.
The Official Lock-Out
Friday, March 20, 5:30-9:00 pm
Often times we like to “lock-out” in attempts to skirt the work that must be done. But what if we planned it? Welcome to Pres House’s 1st Official Lock-Out!
The Official Lock-Out will be dedicated to friendship and fun! Games and connection … what more could you ask for? Oh, of course: FREE FOOD! Please RSVP and share any dietary restrictions so you can eat yummy food too.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, March 25, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, March 23.
Candid Workshop: "Where's the Joy?"
Tuesday, April 7, 6:00-7:30 pm
Sometimes when we are stressed or life is hard we need a reminder that joy is available to us.
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
The Nexus Point: Embodied Flourishing for BIPOC Students
Saturday, April 11, 9 am - 5 pm
Thanks to the generosity of Pres House donors, we are offering this workshop to all BIPOC students at UW-Madison, free of charge!
Embodiment is not only what we feel, perceive, and understand. It’s also what we do — an evolving set of skills and abilities that we cultivate through learning and practice. As with any other skill, how do we get better? We practice.
Through movement, meditation, and conversation, we will:
- explore patterns of oppression (including racism) and the ways our bodies respond to stress
- learn and practice strategies to disrupt patterns of oppression & create meaningful change for ourselves and our communities
- build relationships and solidarity with other BIPOC students at UW-Madison
Bagels, pastries, coffee, & tea will be available in the morning, and lunch will be provided. Wear clothes you feel comfortable moving around in (e.g. sitting, standing, stretching, etc.).
What's Next? A Group for Graduating Students
Thursday, April 16, 5:30-6:30 pm
What’s Next? is a space for graduating students to talk about the challenges and possibilities of the major life transition that is graduation! We cover topics like money, relationships, career, and values.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, April 29, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, April 27.
Bike & Brunch
Friday, May 8, 9 am
Join us for our annual year-end celebratory bike ride! We leave from Pres House and ride through the Arboretum to Finca Coffee, where we’ll eat brunch together. Then we ride back to campus, park our bikes, and jump in Lake Mendota together!
- This is a “no-drop” ride, which means no one is “too slow” to ride with the group.
- Helmets are required to ride.
- Bringing supplies to repair flat tires and other minor mechanical issues is highly recommended. There will be someone on the ride who can assist with mechanical issues, but you are responsible for your own bike.
- You are welcome to ride a BCycle (there is a station at our brunch location to park while we eat). However, if your BCycle loses power or breaks down, you will need to contact BCycle for assistance.
Open House
Wednesday, August 27, 3 - 5 pm
Games, snacks, crafts, and a relaxed atmosphere where it’s easy to make new friends. Drop in any time!
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Thursday, August 28, 3 - 5 pm
Come on your own or in a team of (up to) four people and compete in a photo scavenger hunt that will take you around campus and the State St. area. The team with the most points will win $25 gift cards for all team members, but everyone will walk away with some great memories, new friends, and more knowledge of all the amazing things downtown Madison has to offer!
Cookie Break
Friday, August 29, 2 - 4 pm
Take a break from the pre-semester prep and enjoy a free Insomnia Cookie! We’ve got hundreds to give away, which means there are hundreds of chances for you to make a new friend. Plus, we break out the prize wheel. You might win some candy, a super-cool sticker, or a crisp high-five.
Trivia Night
Monday, September 1, 7 - 8:30 pm
Come alone or with a group of (up to) four people. Either way, we’ll make sure you have a chance to meet some new people, flex your trivia muscles, and win some cash; each member of the winning team gets a $25 Visa gift card, and there are additional prizes for 2nd and 3rd place!
Grad Student Mocktail Mixer
Friday, September 12, 7 - 8:30 pm
Come enjoy some delicious drinks and treats and connect with other graduate students outside of your department. RSVPs requested so we have enough supplies!
The Kickback: A Gathering for BIPOC Students
Wednesday, September 17, beginning at 7:30 pm
Games, snacks, crafts, and a relaxed atmosphere where it’s easy to make new friends. Drop in any time!
The Kickback is an event for BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
Candid Workshop: "Ready, Set, Go!"
Tuesday, September 23, 5:30 pm
What steps can you take now to have a great semester? What does success look like for you? What strategies can you use to take care of yourself while being a student? This workshop is designed to help you get ready, set, and go for it!
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
Game Night
Friday, September 26, 7 - 8:30 pm
Board games, card games, video games, get-to-know-you games, ALL THE GAMES. You’ve made it through three weeks of classes; come blow off some steam and make new friends!
Fall Retreat: "Wayfinding: Discerning Who We Are and Where We're Going"
October 17-19
Retreats with Pres House are a great way to take a break from your normal routine and enjoy some time away from campus with friends! We eat, play, and make memories together while holding space for spiritual reflection and conversation. Whether you are brand new to Pres House or have been a part of the community for years, going on a Pres House retreat is one of the best ways to build relationships at Pres House.
The registration fee for all Pres House retreats is $70. However, if you are a first-time retreat attendee, you will automatically receive a $10 discount. Scholarships are available if you cannot pay the full registration fee; contact Pastor Nii Addo before registering to request a scholarship.
Candid Workshop: "Habit Hacking"
Tuesday, October 21, 5:30 pm
We all have habits. Habits are the behaviors (and thoughts) we repeat without really thinking about them. How can we learn do more of the good stuff and less of the not so good stuff? Come learn some habit hacking to level up your habits.
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
The Kickback: A Gathering for BIPOC Students
Friday, October 24, 7:00-9:30 pm
Join other BIPOC students for a trip to the Haunted Forest at Schuster’s Farm! Tickets are $15 each.
The Kickback is an event for BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
Turkey Bowl
Saturday, November 15, 3-6 pm
Turkey Bowl is a fun Friendsgiving event hosted by PH! We meet at Pres House, walk over to Gordon Lawn to play a game of flag football, and walk back to PH for a meal and some more Thanksgiving fun. If football isn’t your thing, that’s okay — there’s an option to help prepare the meal.
RSVPs are requested by Thursday, November 13, to make sure we prepare the right amount of food.
"SPEAK UP for Palestine!" Palestine Justice Network Conference
Friday, November 14 - Saturday, November 15
The Palestine Justice Network of the PC(USA) will be hosting their annual meeting & conference at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison this year! A quick blurb from the conference website:
During this annual meeting, we hope to offer programming that will inspire us to continue to Speak Up for Palestine. We will feature talks and workshops led by local Palestinian student activists, world-renowned Palestinian artists, and writers and thought-leaders who have put everything on the line to Speak Up for Palestine. We will also spend our time together reflecting on ways in which we have failed to speak up and moments in which we have been complicit through silence. We pray that our time together will rejuvenate and reinvigorate us to keep on Speaking Up for Palestine until Palestine is truly free.
Thanks to Pres House donors, we’re offering ten scholarships for Pres House students to attend the conference. With the scholarship, the registration fee is just $35! Students who receive scholarships will share stories about their experience at the conference with the Pres House community.
Signups are open through the end of September. After that, you are welcome to sign up on your own, but the scholarships will no longer be available. Please email Pastor Nii Addo if you have any questions.
Candid Workshop: "Healthy Conflict"
Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 pm
Disagreements are inevitable. People are different. Is there a way to disagree and stay connected? What makes conflict healthy instead of unhealthy? Come learn strategies to navigate conflicts.
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
Thanksgiving Community Dinner
Tuesday, November 25, 6:00-7:15 pm
Join us for a hearty Thanksgiving dinner to share a good meal and gratitude with your neighbors!
During the meal, we will hear from Aissa Olivarez, a local immigration lawyer who works with the Community Immigration Law Center. You will also have the opportunity to bring donations for Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center’s food pantry!
RSVP by 5 pm on Sunday, November 23.
Bread for the Many
Tuesday, December 2, 4-6 pm
Join us for this bread-baking workshop!
Learn some baking skills with Chef Mary and help your Madison community in the process. Bread will be distributed to our community in need through the River Food Pantry.
4-5 pm – knead, proof, measure, & arrange bread
5-6 pm (optional) – stay while bread bakes and see your finished product!
Candid Workshop: "Pause, Breathe, Move"
Tuesday, December 9, 5:30 pm
Finals are upon us. There’s too much to do. Sometimes, the best thing to do is pause, breathe, and reset. Join us to learn and practice some easy self care strategies to carry you through finals.
Candid brings students together on a wellness journey that fosters connections and encourages relevant, relatable, and real conversations. You set the goals — Candid connects you to community and support.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, January 28, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, January 26.
More events coming soon!
What's Next? A Group for Graduating Students
Thursday, February 19, 5:30-6:30 pm | Topic TBD
What’s Next? is a space for graduating students to talk about the challenges and possibilities of the major life transition that is graduation! We cover topics like money, relationships, career, and values.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, February 25, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, February 23.
More events coming soon!
What's Next? A Group for Graduating Students
Thursday, March 19, 5:30-6:30 pm | Topic TBD
What’s Next? is a space for graduating students to talk about the challenges and possibilities of the major life transition that is graduation! We cover topics like money, relationships, career, and values.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, March 25, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, March 23.
More events coming soon!
What's Next? A Group for Graduating Students
Thursday, April 16, 5:30-6:30 pm | Topic TBD
What’s Next? is a space for graduating students to talk about the challenges and possibilities of the major life transition that is graduation! We cover topics like money, relationships, career, and values.
PHamily Dinner
Wednesday, April 29, 6:00-7:30 pm
PHamily Dinner is a monthly community meal at Pres House designed to help students build healthy relationships across differences. Each evening includes:
- A tasty home-made meal thoughtfully prepared by our chef (dietary restrictions are accommodated)
- A deck of prompts to spark meaningful conversation
- A brief shared clean-up as a practice of community care
There is no agenda beyond sharing food, connection, and conversation. RSVP by 3 pm on Monday, April 27.
More events coming soon!
Bike & Brunch
Friday, May 8, 9 am
Join us for our annual year-end celebratory bike ride! We leave from Pres House and ride through the Arboretum to Finca Coffee, where we’ll eat brunch together. Then we ride back to campus, park our bikes, and jump in Lake Mendota together!
- This is a “no-drop” ride, which means no one is “too slow” to ride with the group.
- Helmets are required to ride.
- Bringing supplies to repair flat tires and other minor mechanical issues is highly recommended. There will be someone on the ride who can assist with mechanical issues, but you are responsible for your own bike.
- You are welcome to ride a BCycle (there is a station at our brunch location to park while we eat). However, if your BCycle loses power or breaks down, you will need to contact BCycle for assistance.