It was with a great sense of shock and sadness that we heard of the death of Graham Adams, the good, warm, gracious man who did so much for our churches in Scotland when we joined the Congregational Federation. So we invited the Rev. James Smith, who worked closely with him over the years and who took part in the funeral service, to write this obituary.

Graham Adams - Scotland has lost a great friend.

The church was full; people gathered from all over Britain and beyond to attend Graham's funeral. I was asked to take part in the service and, like the hundreds in attendance, it was an opportunity to express my appreciation for all that Graham had done.

The Rev. Peter Thomas conducted the service with great sensitivity. Adrian, Graham's son, spoke of how his father always seemed to be working at 100 miles an hour. He told us how he seldom stopped and there were many nights he would burn the midnight oil on a sermon, a lecture or some other work. Adrian shared with us some of the insights of his father's work in Southam and Narborough.

He said Graham's faith and his desire to serve his Lord were always the driving forces behind his father's work. Graham truly believed that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Saviour; he believed that God had a purpose and a mission for his life and it was that belief which drove his father on relentlessly. As I look back, added Adrian, I am glad of the things God used him for and I am proud of how God used him to help others, including me, to unlock their gifts.

Peter Thomas spoke warmly about Graham. He had been not only a colleague, but a close friend. He reminded us how, with the help of others, Graham established the Congregational Federation, much to the sacrifice of himself, much to the sacrifice of his family and latterly to his health.

Peter indicated that Graham had a great influence on people. As a teacher, he inspired others; as a lecturer he guided many; as a pastor he supported all. He achieved a master's degree in business administration and theology. He was someone who had this insatiable appetite for work, learning and study but underneath all this, Peter emphasised that he had a rich social conscience.

The General Secretary of CWM, Desmond Van de Waters spoke warmly of the help and support CWM had received from Graham over the years. He also paid tribute to the enormous contribution Andrea had made to the development of CWM.

Before the final hymn at the service, Peter gathered all our thoughts together by asking the question, 'How do we sum up a man who had such a valued and respected influence upon our lives?' For all his achievements, for all the chairmanships that he held, the Presidency, all the different aspects of Graham's life, even his life within the Ministry, he remained a humble man. He never regarded what he did as a personal recognition but was always seeking to help others.

We remember Graham's wife Andrea, his son Adrian, his daughter Ruth and their families in our prayers.

I am still finding it hard to think of the Federation without Graham.