Directors
CHANCEL CHOIR DIRECTOR
Tim Koch joined the FPC staff on October 1, 2019. Tim was raised in a church music family and has a long history of service in the music ministry. His wife, Jo Nell, has been a Chancel Choir member at FPC for five years. Tim also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Coastal Carolina University and as Music Director of the Carolina Master Chorale.
Summer Butler
DIRECTOR OF THE GROWING TREE
After graduating from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Summer traveled abroad to study at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. It was in England that she met her husband, Stuart. Once back in the United States, Summer attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. She has worked in the speech and educational field for several years; working with the preschool population is her passion. Summer is a member of First Presbyterian Church and has served on the session as an elder. She feels that working at the Growing Tree is a true blessing. Summer and Stuart have two children, Oliver and Finn who were both baptized at First Presbyterian Church and attended the Growing Tree Preschool and Kindergarten.
Macy Cottom
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES
Macy Cottom grew up in Matthews North Carolina and was raised in Matthews Presbyterian Church. From the time she was young, this faithful community shaped her understanding of God’s gracious love by extending endless opportunities to grow and actively serve. Matthews Presbyterian paved the way for her to seek a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Presbyterian College.
While studying Christian Education, Macy developed a great passion in advocacy for children and families. She recognized how influential her own family and church home had been in her own life and realized how essential it was for children to grow up in safe and loving environments where they have opportunities to know they are loved and deeply valued.
As a student at PC, Macy had the opportunity to participate in American University’s Semester in Washington Experience: Transforming Communities in Environmental Development. While living in Washington DC for a semester, Macy was able to study community and environmental development that seeks to make communities safe and healthy, nationally and globally, where all people have the opportunity to live into the potential for which they were created.
After graduating from Presbyterian College, Macy accepted an offer to serve as Director of Children and Family Ministries at FPC. She packed up, moved to Myrtle Beach and is thankful to be serving alongside the truly faithful community at FPC. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, running, reading, and trips to the public library!
Elizabeth (Betty) Singleton
DIRECTOR OF ADULT SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT
Elizabeth (Betty) Gamble Singleton grew up a member of the Moorefield Presbyterian Church in eastern West Virginia. Betty, a life-long student of history and religion, studied at West Virginia University and Coastal Carolina University. She and her husband Earl joined First Presbyterian Church in 1961 when they returned to Myrtle Beach after Earl’s graduation from USC Pharmacy School. Betty joined the FPC staff in 1993 when three lay members assumed the duties of departing Christian Educator, David Suhs. She continues to serve as part-time member of the Adult Education Staff as Director of Special Educational Offerings. Betty’s prayer is that her work at FPC will contribute to the broadening of our congregation’s understanding of a faithful, loving God and the responses of faithful, loving children of God.
“Big Earl” and Betty have served in every aspect of the life of First Presbyterian Church and are the proud parents of three children, Elizabeth, Earl, and Charles all of whom were baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian.
Skip Yingling
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
Skip is a graduate of Stetson University, where he received degrees of Bachelor of Music and Masters in Business Administration. After graduating from Stetson, Skip lived in Los Angeles, CA, where he worked at both an independent record label in Santa Monica and a music branding company in West Hollywood as an associate for business development. In February of 2008, Skip accepted the call to be Minister of Music at his hometown church in New Jersey, the Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains. As Minister of Music, he directed and accompanied the Chancel Choir, youth and adult Praise Bands, supervised and rang with the handbell choirs, and was musical director and co-teacher for the Joyful Noise Nursery School. In 2010, he acted as interim director for the church’s young adult Walsh Memorial Bell Choir and led them on their summer tour throughout England and Scotland.
Outside of the church, Skip has been the musical director for the Morristown High School Theater and Morris Plains Summer Theater programs. He acted as vocal director, musical arranger, accompanist, and pit orchestra director for both programs. He has directed many shows including “Grease”, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, “Father of the Bride”, “Barnum”, “Godspell”, “Babes in Arms”, “Sweet Charity”, “Seussical”, and an original production, “Dream”, a musical version of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Skip also enjoys playing piano and keyboards in various school and community theater pit orchestras.
As a music educator, Skip has experience as a long-term substitute music teacher in the Morris School District of New Jersey. He has taught general and vocal music for elementary school students, as well as symphonic band, guitar, and music technology at the high school level. Additionally, Skip enjoys teaching private piano lessons for all ages and levels, as well as performing as a soloist and in various rock bands for community concerts, weddings, and galas.
Skip is excited to be back in the south. He lives in Carolina Forest with his wife Kim, who he met while growing up in the Presbyterian Church. He joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach in September of 2015 where he is proud to be continuing his music ministry.