My wife, Susan, and I are originally from Ohio.  I graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years, retiring as a Captain.  Fun Fact: I traveled to 91 countries while on active duty.  Post military retirement, I was a Financial Advisor working mostly with military retirees/widows for 9 years.

Susan and our children first attended Calvary in the late 1980s while I was deployed overseas.  We moved back to Charleston after full retirement in 2003 and have been attending Calvary since 2008. I have served as Calvary’s Treasurer since 2012 and as a member of our Safety & Security Team.

Susan and I have three grown children and four grandchildren living here and in Florida.

Isaiah 41:9-10 and James 1:2-7 helped me through several hard patches in my naval career, especially during command at sea.

Laura Rayl has been a member of Calvary Lutheran Church since January 2002 and has been actively involved in numerous ministries over the years. She has served on the Guatemala Mission Team, the Yard Maintenance Team, the Vestry, and the Homeless Ministry. She has also supported the church as a Sunday School teacher and nursery volunteer, among other areas of service.

Laura is the Business Development Director for McLeod Home Care of Greater Charleston and a longtime advocate for older adults and caregivers. With more than two decades of experience in senior care, she is passionate about connecting individuals and families to trusted resources that support safe, independent living.

Laura has a deep passion for serving others and building meaningful relationships within the church and the community. She is grateful for the opportunity to grow in faith alongside her church family and remains committed to sharing Christ’s love through hands-on service and outreach

Originally from Ohio, I moved to the Lowcountry area in 1981 and joined Calvary in 1984 where I met my husband.    We have three adult children and enjoy traveling. I currently serve as Financial Secretary and on the Fellowship Committee. 

I have been a full-time member of Calvary Lutheran since 1977.
I served as Head Elder for a number of years, and later as Financial Secretary and Vice President. I have been the Property Care Manager since 2010.

I served in the United States Air Force from August 1966 to May 1969, stationed primarily in Anchorage, Alaska.

I completed my undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science, followed by a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

My first job was with Celanese Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina. During that time, I earned my Professional Engineering License, which I continue to maintain in the state of North Carolina.

In 1976, I moved to the Charleston area to work for the Bayer Corporation.

I come from a family of aviators—my parents were the first licensed flying couple in the state of Iowa in 1930. My older sister and her husband were also licensed pilots, and my twin brother flew extensively. However, I am the only one in the family to have earned a Commercial Pilot License. When I “retired” from the Bayer Corporation in Charleston, I decided to build my own airplane: a four-place Cozy MKIV.

I’m Shannon Gregg, married to my husband Matthew, and we are blessed with two children, Colson and Hannah.

I’ve been walking with Jesus since I was a little girl, when He drew my mom and me into a life of loving and serving Him. Before my mom came to know Christ as her Savior, my grandmother faithfully took me to church and began teaching me about Jesus. Calvary has been my church family since my elementary school years!

In serving my church family, I currently serve on the Education Committee and as that committee’s representative on the Vestry. I also enjoy helping to lead worship as part of the worship team and serving on the Altar Guild. For many years, I have felt called to be part of the mission team to Guatemala, and at times to help lead it. I have also enjoyed volunteering with Cross Rails Ministry and Hands of His Mercy.

Matthew and I have homeschooled both of our children, and we are now entering our final year as Hannah prepares to graduate next spring!

I love getting to know people and serving those who find themselves in hard places. I especially enjoy serving as part of a team, working together for God’s glory.

Wife: Zulema (Sue)
Our daughter, Laura Rayl, also attends Calvary.

I grew up in Waycross, GA, and graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. We moved to the Charleston area in 1989. I am retired from a career in manufacturing (engineering and executive management) in the textile/apparel and automotive industries. We have been attending Calvary since 1999.

I enjoy reading (mostly non-fiction), and I have a passion for learning and teaching of all kinds. I’m always open to meeting with others for coffee or lunch and a good discussion about the faith.

Fun Fact: I worked a short second career as an over-the-road flatbed 18-wheeler truck driver—because I (mistakenly) thought it would be a fun way to see America. I later enjoyed a third career as a high school mathematics teacher, teaching AP Statistics, AP Calculus, Algebra 2, and Digital Electronics. Nothing I ever did was as rewarding as seeing the excitement of a student grasping a new concept.

A favorite Bible verse – Habakkuk 3:17–19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.