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From Staff Reports

A Pennsylvania minister and judge will be the keynote preacher for the Union of Churches and Ministerial Alliance Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Sunday, Jan. 15 at the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Morristown.

Minister Nicole Tate-Phillips, who serves as the Associate Minister of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, will deliver the keynote message “Why We Can’t Wait.”

Tate-Phillips is also the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

The granddaughter of the late Henry and Lou Tate, of Morristown, and the late Rev. Stone and Gloria Carr, of Alcoa, her family’s roots are in East Tennessee.

After her family relocated from Morristown, she spent her primary years in Lakeland, Florida. She is a graduate of Spelman College and the Northeastern University School of Law.

She gave her life to the Lord at age 9 and has spent much of her life serving in the ministry, primarily in dance and music.

She gave her initial sermon and was licensed to preach the gospel in 2014.

Today, she conducts Bible studies for youth and adults and has served as a teacher/facilitator of retreats for women and youth. She also serves as worship leader on the Praise and Worship ministry.

She was sworn in to her judicial position on Jan. 3, 2022. She is the second African American female judge in the history of that court. Prior to taking the bench, she spent 20 years as an attorney. She is a former assistant district attorney, assistant United States attorney and partner at a law firm in Philadelphia.

She is active in her community, serving as a board member for Youth Action – Philadelphia and Philadelphia VIP. She is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Pennsylvania Chapter.

She has served as a volunteer with Philadelphia Reads and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

During her time as a Assistant United States Attorney, she was involved in the federal Supervision to Aid Reentry Court Program, which provides support and resources to participants reintegrating into society after incarceration.

She is the mother of two sons, David and Jordan, and two adult bonus daughters, Ciara and Latoya.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church on Cherokee Drive in Morristown. The Rev. Jesse L. Jones Jr. is the pastor.