The Rev. G. Bradford Hall preached his first sermon at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California, on September 16, 1984; his last one on May 25, 1997.

Brad Hall died on July 16, 1997, but for all those who knew and loved him, he left a magnificent legacy: the towering strength of his faith, conviction, leadership, intellect...and his joyous belief in his God, his Church and his fellow human beings.

Brad Hall was a thinker and speaker of soaring eloquence. In his remarkable sermons, he left a glorious accounting of the power and clarity of his faith. With words of wisdom, hope and love, he guided and challenged us--spiritually, intellectually and emotionally. Through the years, an increasing number of people around the world asked to be put on the mailing list to receive copies of his sermons. And whether his words were read or heard, they never failed to guide, steady and inspire all of us.

This book was made possible by a generous underwriting from Bill and Gloria Burch, and by the deep commitment of Fr. Dan Rondeau and Peter Brennan, who got the project started and have advised, read, checked, amplified, encouraged and helped make it happen every step of the way.

Equally enthusiastic were The Rt. Rev. Gethin B. Hughes, Bishop of San Diego; The Rev. John Guest, one of our day’s great Evangelistic thinkers and speakers, and Donn F. Morgan, Ph.D., President and Dean of The Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

But the greatest help came from Carol Hall, who was interviewed over a period of weeks and speaks eloquently about Brad and her life with him. Brad and Carol met in 1957 when they were students at the University of North Carolina. Four weeks after they met, they were unofficially engaged. Brad graduated Phi Beta Kappa; clearly, he was smart in many ways, for he knew when he met Carol that he had found a remarkable woman with whom he wanted to share the rest of his life. My great thanks to Carol and to all those who helped so much.

The people of St. Margaret’s gave Brad Hall their time, talents, and resources. And most of all, they--you--gave him your hearts. This book is a tribute to the great life and ministry of Brad Hall, a parish priest and teacher of soaring intellect and faith. We are all making THE JOURNEY HOME; who better to lead us and help us “Make It a Good One” than Brad Hall, with his wonderful words of encouragement and inspiration.

Peggy Herz Smith

- I -

© 1998 - 2008Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Palm Desert CA" All rights reserved.