The Passing of Ivan Weekes

It is with sadness that we announce the death of former Vice President Ivan Weekes.

Ivan was elected Vice President in 1991. He was born in Barbados, the oldest of a family of seven. In 1955 he joined the immigrant trek from the Caribbean to the UK. Though brought up with an Anglican background, on attending church in England he encountered prejudice and what turned out to be racist rejection and in 1961 found in Methodism a genuine welcome and the preaching of gospel reality. He joined the Notting Hill Methodist Church during its group ministry.

Over the years has served in many offices and from the early ’80s until his retirement in 1995 was the first executive black Methodist racial justice secretary in the Division of Social Responsibility. In his secular career he has been a civil servant, housing association officer, labourer, community worker and alderman.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

You can read a reflection on Ivan's life from the Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal below.

Ivan Weekes

In 1983, the recently formed Community and Race Relations Committee of the Methodist Church (CRRC) supported the appointment of a Methodist Secretary for Race and Community. In 1984 Ivan Weekes took up this role, and worked with and serviced the CRRC for the following ten years. In 1991 Ivan was elected Vice President of the Methodist Conference.

Ivan Weekes pioneered, developed and promoted racial justice work with unrelenting passion and professionalism. Fiercely determined, Ivan worked closely with others to develop constructive ways forward.

He became an inspiration, mentor and role model for many of us, and promoted black leadership. Ivan brought clarity, conviction and wisdom to all work and relationships.

He was an elder statesman of the Methodist Church, always immaculately dressed, and carried an air of dignity and authority. Scarred by the racism he personally endured, he only revealed his bruises to a few trusted friends, and remained resilient.

Ivan retired in 1995, his work had covered a decade of growing racist rhetoric and “riots” across the UK, much of which had arisen from the targeting of black youths (particularly of Afro-Caribbean backgrounds). It was a decade of deep anger at what was seen as Police racism and violence.

Tackling racism was the priority for Ivan, beginning with social, structural and theological racism within the church. Ivan was the driving force behind the seminal strategic report of the Methodist Conference (1987) entitled Faithful and Equal.

With this the Conference adopted a programme for tackling racism and action for racial justice including: all ordinands undertaking racism awareness training; encouraging all Black Methodists to offer themselves for all the ministries of the church; every church council to considering what action it has taken or will take to combat racism.

This work laid the ground for subsequent work for racial justice, and the current equalities strategy of Justice, Dignity and Solidarity.

Ivan travelled the length and breadth of the Methodist Connexion, addressing Synods and Congregations challenging Methodists to put the recommendations of Faithful and Equal in to practice. His wisdom was sought in all aspects of Methodist work, and indeed ecumenically.

Ivan was worked hard in the work of developing and promoting black leadership. The first meeting of Black Methodist Ministers took place on 29 May 1985. The meeting was convened by Ivan, and was held in his office in Westminster Central Hall.

With Ivan’s support we committed ourselves to meet regularly for mutual encouragement and education in order to play an effective role in the life of the Methodist Church. And with this the Black Methodist Ministers Group was founded.

This Group has also continued to evolve becoming the Belonging Together Ministers Group aimed at helping the Methodist Church to fulfil mission and ministry through its diverse membership. On Wesley Day 2025, we marked our fortieth anniversary, and honoured Ivan’s legacy.

I have vivid recollections of Ivan’s address as Vice President to the Methodist Conference (1991). His voice deep and dignified. He chaired the Conference in regal style. At the close of business on the first day, I waited with his dearly beloved Perlita and their son Kelvin who had with him a Cricket bat and ball.

When Ivan emerged to meet us, he, Kelvin and I had a few minutes playing Cricket down the middle aisle of the empty conference venue. Ivan was deeply devoted to his family, and he was a loyal supporter of the West Indies Cricket team.

Ivan had a great sense of fun and humour. He always loved a good laugh, a good meal. If Ivan got angry at the Church, it was only because of his care and commitment. Sometimes Ivan was misunderstood by the Church. But he was undaunted in upholding Christ and his Gospel. Ivan sought to make Christ real in the many facets of everyday life. He has been a great presence, friend and colleague.

Inderjit Bhogal, 3 September 2025