Week Five
Theme: Obedience and the Way of Love
by the Rev. Madeline Hawley, Director of Field Education and Lecturer in Pastoral Theology
Begin by watching the Video Reflection:
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
- What are your own assumptions about obedience? What shaped and formed those ideas, and what challenges those assumptions?
- Our freedom to choose to follow the ways of God’s love is intimately linked to our obedience and conscience. Where has it been easy to follow God’s way of love? When has it been costly?
- What sustains (individually or as a faith community) your obedience to the way of the cross?
- Tell a story about a time when you felt the Spirit inviting you to see obedience as freedom.
Download the video reflection here. Search for the download icon under the speakers name.
Download a PDF of all content for Week Five here.
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The Rev. Madeline Hawley
The Rev. Madeline Hawley (’15) serves as the Director of Field Education. In that role it is her joy to invite many of her colleagues in Austin area congregations to present on topics related to pastoral theology. In addition to overseeing field education, she teaches courses in pastoral theology, christian formation, and mission. She began work on a Doctorate of Ministry at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in January of 2025. Madeline is a committed pastor, teacher, and native Austinite, having grown up at St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin. Locally she has served as the Rector of St. Christopher's, as a priest at St. James', and as a seminarian at Calvary Episcopal in Bastrop, Texas. Beyond the seminary she serves as an assisting priest at St. Mark’s San Marcos where her spouse Christian, also a Southwest alum, is the Rector. Together they have the joy of raising two small children along the beautiful San Marcos river. She also serves on the board of trustees at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
