The Big Day!

So... yesterday around 2:00pm a baby boy was born in Burlington - 7lbs, 11oz. As far as we know both baby and young momma are healthy. We will likely be called today to come pick up the baby at the hospital to begin the foster placement.

Thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging emails. Please continue to pray for all of us - the Mays, the baby, the mother. There is much excitement, fear and sadness in this situation, but we trust that ultimately God is doing a great thing in the gift of this child's life.

We sure appreciate you all.

Cleve & Amy 

Here We Go...

Dear Friends,

Amy and I have big news to share with you and a great need for your prayers. Many of you know that for the last four years we have been licensed foster parents hoping for the opportunity to open our home and our family to a child who needs both. Our ultimate hope is to adopt, as we believe this is a ministry to which God has called us. This sense of calling has been developing from the early days of our marriage and we have been praying for God to send the right child at the right time. Well…

A week ago we received a call from the Methodist Home for Children (our agency) asking if we were willing to be considered for a foster placement for a baby boy that is due to be born in early January. The boy’s mother is a 15-year-old girl, herself under the care of DSS. Amazingly, this is very much the kind of scenario that we have hoped for in this process… the opportunity to come alongside a girl in a tough spot and provide a tangible alternative to the easy way out she could have taken. However, there is the reality of our current situation… new community, new church, new four-month-old baby. Well, much to both of our surprise, Amy and I both felt a sense of excitement about this possibility even in the face of the chaos that is our life at present. Along with this, we have a deep conviction that when our Lord calls us He always leads and provides everything needed for the journey. Therefore…

We said, “yes.” Now, in this system “being considered” does not mean that you will be selected from the pool of potential foster parents. However, yesterday we received word that the May family has been chosen. Again, the question was asked, “Are you willing to proceed?” After prayer and a family meeting, again we said, “yes.” So…

Sometime in the next few weeks will have an addition to our family… at least for a time. We really are aware that this will be a crazy season of life – likely the most difficult we have yet encountered. We see that reality, however, within the context of a greater reality in which our Lord gave us a home and called us family in our hour of greatest need. We now have the privilege of honoring the One who so welcomed us by welcoming this child, and we are excited and grateful… and, of course, scared out of our minds! All that to say…

Please pray. Pray for the young mother who is facing such difficult circumstances. Pray for a healthy delivery of this baby boy. Pray that, even now, the Holy Spirit would incline this child’s heart to Jesus, and that the season spent in our home as a part of our family would serve to demonstrate the love of Christ to this little one. Pray for us and for our kids, that we would be prepared and equipped for what lies ahead. Pray for anything else that comes to mind. And then…

Pray some more!

We are so grateful for each of you and the role you play in our lives. We look forward to giving you updates soon.

Merry Christmas!

Cleve & Amy

November Update

Friends,

I have so much to share with you about The CityWell’s November… crazy, wonderful month. First, on a personal note, I am so thankful for God giving me a deep sense of peace with regards to the anxiety I wrestled with for several months. Thank you for praying for me in this! I hope you will continue to do so.

November marked our official transition out of the May house for our Sunday gatherings because we simply do not have enough room for everyone who is joining us. We are very grateful to our friends at Reality Ministries who allow us to use some of their space for these times together. We meet in the game room, a large space filled with couches, game tables and a huge fireplace that serves as the focal point of our worship time. It’s a wonderful, relaxed, inviting space and we are thankful!

I wish all of you could be with us for even a single week. I am constantly amazed when we gather at how God is bringing to fruition the vision of The CityWell being a diverse community. I often find myself just looking around the room in grateful amazement as people of several ethnicities, nationalities, and varying economic situations engage one another in growing friendships, share food and laughter, sing together (sometimes in different languages), and pray for one another. We are becoming who we truly are as Jesus’ church, one new humanity in Christ. It is awesome, and it is nothing other than the work of God!

We continue to share life together in homes on a regular basis, both formally and informally, and we are moving toward what I hope will become our regular rhythm of gathering midweek in our “Wells” (our extended family-sized groups that focus on becoming family and sharing common mission), and then corporately as The CityWell on Sundays. Please pray for us as we discern the way forward in this. Specifically, I would appreciate prayers for wisdom as to when to shift from being a single Well (which we presently are) to giving birth to multiple Wells. Along with this, please pray for God to give the future leaders of these Wells the vision for this calling. 

Another thrilling aspect of November was the initiation of The CityWell Formation Team. This group of people has been meeting faithfully on Monday nights in our home to pray, read scripture, dream and work together toward a common articulation of our vision and values, as well as to work through the increasingly pressing and rapidly growing list of logistical issues attending all the momentum we are experiencing. These meetings are long and we are doing hard work, but Amy and I reflected last night on what a gift it is to move forward in this adventure with such awesome people. We definitely need your prayers for wisdom, creativity and unity as we proceed in this critical work together.

Finally, I want to tell you about the central role mission plays in the formation of our identity as a church. Every month we commit as a whole community to a particular way to “give our lives away,” as I like to say. In November we collected winter supplies (clothing, coats, hand warmers, blankets, etc…) for a community of homeless people who live in the woods here in Durham. We partnered with Open Table Ministries in this endeavor, and look forward to another partnership effort with this ministry in December. I believe mission, the sending of God’s people into the world for the sake of the world (and for the sake of God’s people!) to be at the heart of God and therefore at the heart of what it means for us to be a church. To that end, please pray that mission will become an even more central element of our life together.

I am so grateful for the privilege of this assignment in life, and I am grateful for your partnership with us. I hope you will consider supporting us financially as you look at your year-end giving. If you would like to make a contribution you can send checks to The CityWell 1426 N. Roxboro St. Durham, NC 27701. All gifts are, of course, tax deductible. If you would like to set up an automated schedule for giving, please let me know and we will make that happen.

Thank you friends, and may December be for you a month of remembering and celebrating that the Christ who came, comes to us still; and Christ will come again!

Cleve 

Woefully Negligent

So... I confess. After all, it's true.

I am a woefully negligent blogger.

I have lots of excuses. I even believe some of them. However, the fact remains that I have not posted in nearly four months... IN SPITE of the fact that there is SOOOO much to say.

In confessing, I hope you'll forgive me and continue to dream and pray with us as we continue in this beautiful experiment.

You'll see that I have posted monthly updates from the last four months that will help to bring you up to speed on life in The CityWell. And I promise to be far less a slacker from this point forward.

... until the next time I forget how to type (my favorite excuse!).

October 2011 Update

Dear Friends,

As I write this update, I am so grateful to have you as partners in prayer, for I am more aware than ever of our absolute dependence upon God for all things. Of late a few scriptures have taken up residence in my heart, and this month I’d like to share them with you with the hope that you might “pray these scriptures” on behalf of me, my family and The CityWell.

Psalm 127:1-2 - Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

The first part of this verse has been on my mind for over a year now, as I believe it absolutely true that the Lord must be the one who builds The CityWell. God is the Lord of the harvest who will raise up the laborers for this harvest field (Luke 10:2); and like Jesus told Peter: On this rock I will build my church… (Matthew 16:18). However, it is the second part of this verse that speaks most powerfully to me at present, for I find myself frequently eating the bread of anxious toil. I am so tempted to believe that “success” is up to me and that if I only work a little harder or for a few more hours… Last night I sat on my deck alone and confessed my anxiousness to God. I confessed because the root of anxiety is a lack of trust in God to be who God is and to do what God does. I am fearful because I fail to believe that God really will build this house. I confessed (and confess) freely and with hope because our Lord has assured us that His response to the sin of my fear is only grace and the reiterated promise of rest for His beloved.

And that is who we are. Beloved.

 John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

I suppose you can see a bit of continuity in the messages God is speaking to me through the gift of His scriptures. These verses (and really the whole passage they are taken from) pierce my heart because I am so tempted in my anxiety to demote the priority of abiding in Christ and elevate the things that seem urgent in my days. In Jesus’ words I hear a stark statement of reality (apart from Him I truly can do nothing) and a gentle invitation (abide in me; be nourished by me; find strength and hope in me). The pattern of life God has designed for us is one of rest followed by work, abiding followed by fruitfulness. In the last month I have been very convicted of my bent toward working until I absolutely need rest, rather than working from a place of rest. God is calling me to work from my rest rather than resting from my work.

Regarding The CityWell, October was a month of joy and rigor. Our weekly gatherings continue to be an occasion for thanksgiving as we are growing deeper in relationship with one another, enjoying worship together, and press forward toward a communal understanding of who we are to be as God’s church in this particular place and time. In addition to these Sunday gatherings we also have two smaller groups meeting one evening per week. These groups are marked by rigorous conversation about our calling and beautiful times of prayer for one another. In all of this I have the gift of laboring with an incredible group of people as we engage together in the hard work of becoming a community. I would invite your prayers for all of us involved that God will continue to grant the gift of discernment as to all of our callings in this ministry, and the communal gift of the Spirit of Jesus to bind us together in love, unity and common mission.

Thank you for your partnership in this ministry. I pray you will each know the fullness of God’s blessing and find the deepest joy in knowing that you are the beloved of God!

Grace and peace,

Cleve

September 2011 Update

Friends,

I am amazed that three months have gone by in the life of The CityWell. There are some great stories to tell, some wonderful answered prayers, and some surprising realizations. I am grateful for the opportunity to share these things with you, and more so that you care to hear and to pray for us. Thank you!

We have a consistent group of people for whom The CityWell is becoming a church family, and this is so exciting to see – particularly knowing that we are just beginning to experience the power and beauty of being the community God is calling us to become. We have continued to gather consistently, but in a variety of places and forms, not settling into a permanent routine. Sometimes we pile into our home; sometimes we meet at a local park; other times we gather in smaller teams in people’s living rooms; and other times we gather somewhere in the community to serve together in some way. Occasionally our gatherings slightly resemble church as most of us know it. We enjoy singing, praying for each other, receiving God’s gift of Communion, and meditating on the scriptures or stories of how God is showing up in and redeeming our lives. Often we share food with one another or meet simply to enjoy life with one another. While this is a bit chaotic, it is intentional, as we are seeking to develop a 3-dimensional life together, with upward (connecting with God), inward (connecting with one another), and outward (connecting with our city) dynamics that together comprise the fulsome life into which God invites us.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of gathering in smaller numbers and in intimate settings (like a living room) is that everyone can truly participate. I’ve been struck anew by the tone of Paul’s letters to the early churches… he’s writing to networks of oikos gatherings (oikos is Greek for household). So, for instance, in 1 Corinthians 14:26 we find: What then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. Each one! I am learning in a new way to take seriously that God really does impart gifts of the Spirit to EVERY believer for the sake of the whole Body, and we are learning how to structure our life together in ways that we can receive the gifts of each one. Pretty cool stuff!

Please pray for all of us, that we will have the patience and wisdom to discern God’s leading in this little church experiment. Particularly pressing in my mind is the tension between wanting to grow, and wanting to grow in the healthiest way. For instance, I believe we are called to maintain the oikos as the primary expression of our church gatherings, so as not to lose the gifts of intimacy and full participation, and to create environments where we can best grow as disciples. Therefore, the way forward for us will likely be the formation of a network of oikos gatherings, but how to get there… well, like I said, please pray for us. On a related note, I believe that God has called The CityWell into being for the sake of making disciples of those who are not yet followers of Jesus. Over and again in Scripture we see God’s heart to seek and save the lost, God’s great and generous desire for the world that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Please pray that our hearts would come to beat with God’s on this, and that we might know the joy of seeing people’s eyes open to the incredible love of God for them in Jesus.

Thank you again for your partnership in prayer, and many of you for your continued financial support. I am deeply grateful to be in this with you and I hope for the opportunity to share more soon.

Grace and peace,

Cleve

August 2011 Update

Friends,

August was blur, and there are so many things to share with you. First, the home front: Our son, John Coleman May III, was born on the 10th, a whopping 8lbs 13 oz with double dimples and reddish hair! Enjoy the attached picture. We are delighted... and tired! Thank you for your prayers for him and Amy. Amy is recovering well and doing a remarkable job balancing 3 kids, making a new house our home, and hosting regular and increasingly large CityWell gatherings; she is superwoman. Our girls have really taken to having a baby brother. McKenna is working diligently toward her junior momma-bear merit badge and Ellison is enjoying playing with little man when he's happy and ignoring him when he's not. Many of you have heard that John has an enlarged right kidney. After some rather uncomfortable tests, we still do not know why, but we are encouraged as some of the more severe possibilities have been eliminated, and John seems to be doing just fine. We would appreciate your prayers for a quick and healthy resolution to this. Amy and I would appreciate your prayers that we will communicate well and grow in our sensitivity toward one another as we navigate so many new variables in our lives.

Things with The CityWell are certainly on the move. The circle of friends who are involved is growing daily. We continue to meet regularly in a variety of places and for a variety of purposes. In August we had seven official gatherings. Some of these were bible study and prayer focused, some vision casting focused, some worship services, and some social/relationship-building times. The last two Sundays we have gathered in our home. On the 21st we enjoyed a time of worship together. We were delighted to see our living area crammed with 21 adults and five children. On the 28th we gathered at the May house again, but this time for a potluck feast and a time of prayer. Along with the abundance of delicious food, we were amazed to see nearly 40 people in our home!

Momentum is certainly building, which presents great opportunity and a number of significant challenges. Namely, we are running out room to grow if we are to continue meeting in homes, which I believe to be important at this point. The vision God has given us for The CityWell is to be a network of missional communities that can reach broadly and deeply into our city. Missional communities are necessarily smaller groupings (extended family size, 20-40 people) that are committed to doing life together in intentional ways and in our natural environments (i.e. homes, neighborhoods, work places, etc...), such that we might encourage one another in the habits of discipleship and in missional engagement with our communities. The theory is simple: we grow most as Jesus' followers through close friendships that aim at discipleship, and in taking God up on His calling for each of us to partner in the work of the Kingdom. All of that to say, please pray for us as we negotiate how to harness the momentum we are experiencing and direct it toward the vision, rather than letting that momentum carry us away from the vision.   

Thank you again for joining us in this ministry through your prayers. What a gift! If you are interested in supporting us financially you can send contributions to: The CityWell 1426 N. Roxboro St. Durham, NC 27701. All gifts are tax deductible. If you would like to set up an automated schedule for giving, please let me know and we will make that happen.

I look forward to sharing more of the unfolding story with you soon.

Grace and peace,

Cleve