The Connectional Church

I haven't been blogging much. Hawaii keeps me busy. But I've also been frustrated and did not want my frustrations to leak out into my writing. But there is no blog etiquette that is stopping me from tossing out one complaint. I am not one to complain too much, and when I do I hope it will spark some conversation and growth.
One of the reasons I chose to be ordained in the United Methodist is because I love the connectional aspect of our world-wide church, connecting pastors and members of all ages from all over the globe. One, united family of God serving all the corners of the world.
I have been planning a summer service camp called Concrete Christ Service Project (CCSP) that involves high school youth from the Hawaii district United Methodist churches; it is a week of service to the island of Oahu through service projects at Kapiolani Medical Center for Children, Kilohana Adult Day Care, Kaha Gardens, Life Foundation, Institute for Human Services and other service sites the youth will be serving various needs of the island. It is a great service, learning, worship and fellowship experience that connects the youth from the Hawaii district.
However much to my dismay my rose colored glasses of how the connectional system could and should work have been shattered. This is one event that brings the district youth together and yet some pastors (definitely not all) refuse to help, and some even rudely look down on the project. I had one pastor send a curt email about how the camp does not address the root of the real problems the community is facing. It was a one-line curt email from a pastor I have never met, nor had I ever spoken to the man. I can think of more loving ways to bring up flaws in the program. Some pastors tossed the mailings I sent aside, and when I visited several churches this Sunday some people hadn't even heard about the camp, but were very interested after hearing me talk about it.
I certainly do not want to be ungracious by forgetting those few pastors who have supported the district-wide event; they have been my saving grace and a good lesson on how the connectional system can work. And I do not want anyone to suppose that I imagine myself more important than the next. I am not. I know churches have lots going on this summer. But it is disheartening as a future clergy woman that out of 41 churches I mailed information to, called, and emailed only 4 or 5 have cared to even respond. The silence is deafening, and it is daily eating away at my enthusiasm and passion.
The camp is June 26, nearly one week away and so far there are 4 campers and 4 counselors. I am tired and frustrated. I put a lot of energy and creativity into planning this camp, and my spirit is crushed by the lack of follow through by local churches. I am not ungrateful to those who have sent their registration papers in, but looking past the actual event and the goods and the bads, I am overall just disappointed in our United Methodist church.
A classmate at BU once asked me, "Are we United Methodist or Untied Methodist?" At the time I was shocked anyone would utter such heresies! But I am beginning to understand. And it makes me sad.