Guest Preacher: A-Too Williams

We welcome the Rev'd Canon A-Too William's, Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Monrovia, Liberia, as part of The Michael B. Curry Distinguished Preacher Series.

About the Mission: Canon Williams comes to launch a $15K Borehole Well Project that will supply safe pipe-bornewater to the Cathedral and its parochial school, The B.W. Harris Episcopal School. The building and grounds of the Cathedral and school were looted and severely damaged during the 14-year Liberian civil war, ending in 2003, a war that claimed more than 250,000 lives and drove into exile, murdered or transitioned out most of those with the financial resources to rebuild many essentials such as the well. The work and struggle to bring the Cathedral and school grounds back to normal persists to this day.

The borehole well project was commissioned by Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Portland as a global outreach project early in 2024. The Rev. Ernestein Cassell Flemister, Missioner for Racial Reconciliation for the Diocese of Oregon, who was baptized and confirmed at Trinity in Monrovia, helped facilitate Dean Williams trip to Oregon to raise awareness and support for the project.

About the Guest Preacher: The Rev'd Canon A-Too Williams was born on July 18, 1966, in Harbel, Liberia. He attended African Bible College in Liberia and Malawi, earning a BA in Biblical Studies and a minor in Radio Broadcasting before continuing his theological education at the Seth C. Edwards Memorial Theological Institute.

He was ordained in 1999 and served at Trinity Cathedral before becoming Priest-in-Charge at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in 2001. In 2002, he became the church’s fourth Rector, serving with distinction. After a 21-year tenure at St. Stephen's, he was elected Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity.

The Rev'd Canon Williams, has held various roles within the Episcopal Church of Liberia, including Vicar General, Coordinator of the Seth C. Edwards Memorial Theological Institute, and President of the Diocesan Standing Committee. He has also represented the church at several international conferences and was named Canon of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in 2013. 

Beyond the church, Reverend Williams served on the Board of Directors of the Great Commission Movement, as Chaplain of the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Center, and as National Board Chairman of African Bible College University. He holds several certificates in trauma healing and social work.

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The Michael B. Curry Distinguished Preacher Series brings some of the leading prophets and preachers of our age to Trinity. Named in honor of our Presiding Bishop, this series is made possible by a gift from the estate of Trinity’s longtime historian and faithful prophet, Professor Ann Weikel, the first woman to receive tenure in the History Department at Portland State University.