University of Virginia
Join us Tuesdays from 8-9:15PM Location: UVA Chapel
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Welcome to RUF at the University of Virginia! We are a community of students learning how to love! We are learning to love God, learning to love our neighbors, and learning to love this world, beginning by learning to love UVA & Charlottesville.
And yet we struggle to love. The unrivaled claim of the Bible is that God has revealed himself in Jesus as the one who both defines Love and still loves us who struggle to love.
Therefore we learn to love by first receiving and resting in Jesus’ great love for us, in particular his work of love at the cross and empty tomb. So this is why we gather in Large Groups, Small Groups, and one-on-ones: that by hearing His Word of love for us, we might rest in his love, that His loving voice might conform us to his love.
Join Us
Large Group
Common Prayer
Meet Our Team
Josiah Carey
Josiah is from Charlottesville. He studied at UVA undergrad and at Covenant Seminary in Saint Louis, where he met Kelley. Kelley and Josiah have three girls and a boy. Kelley is a voracious reader who loves good conversations. Josiah loves lawn games, local establishments, legendary adventures, and logophilia. He is entering his tenth year with RUF and third year at UVA, previously serving at Tulane for seven years. He is immensely grateful to have received the grace of pastoring UVA RUF.
Anna Plybon
Anna is from Kernersville, North Carolina, and graduated from NC State University in May 2021 with a degree in Nutrition Science. Anna loved being involved in RUF at NC State as she learned about the Lord’s loving kindness and compassion. She served as an RUF intern for 3 years at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, and is thankful for how the Lord has faithfully led her to Charlottesville and the Campus Staff role. Anna enjoys running, drinking coffee, reading, crocheting, eating ice cream, and exploring the Virginia mountains!
Jake Mancuso
Jake Mancuso is an incoming RUF intern at the University of Virginia. He is originally from Sterling, Virginia, and recently graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Philosophy and a minor in Psychology. During college, Jake was involved in a variety of extracurriculars including club basketball, playing live music, the philosophy club, and several local ministries, RUF being the main one. He was a member of his church, served as a youth leader at another, co-led a Bible study his senior year, and was active in RUF’s freshman fellowship ministry. These experiences deepened his love for relational ministry and gospel-centered fellowship. Jake loves meeting new people, sharing his faith, and encouraging others to follow Jesus. Nothing brings him more joy than deep, Christ-centered conversations. He is excited to meet the students at UVA and build meaningful, honest, and lasting relationships. Jake hopes to share his own faith journey in a way that invites others into the joy and hope found in Christ.
Jackson Peden
Jackson is originally from Brentwood, TN. He studied Biology and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill and loves to talk about scientific breakthroughs and how they relate to understanding God’s creation. He enjoys running, pickleball, rock climbing, quality time with friends, cooking, and a good card game. He’s excited to explore the natural beauty of the areas in and around Charlottesville and is always down to try something new. He loved his time in RUF at UNC, developing an individual relationship with God and making his faith his own. He can’t wait to walk alongside students doing the same at UVA!
Mamie Sessions
Mamie was raised in Memphis and Franklin, Tennessee. She recently graduated from Mississippi State where she loved her time at RUF. This inspired her to serve as an RUF Intern. She is very excited about moving to Charlottesville and getting to know the students at the University of Virginia. Mamie loves reading, going on walks, spending time with friends and family, being silly, long talks, and snacking. She is looking forward to seeing how the Lord works during her time at UVA!