Rev. Nolan Astley Retires

Photographed by David Freisen

KITCHENER, Ont. – On Sunday, April 26, Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church gathered as a church family to give thanks to God for Rev. Nolan Astley’s and his wife, Susan’s, faithful years of ministry, including seventeen years as Senior Pastor at Holy Cross, as he prepared to retire on May 3.

The presentation in the sanctuary included music, shared memories of Rev. Astley’s years at Holy Cross, and thankfulness for his service during more than 40 years of ministry. The speakers included Holy Cross’ Executive Director Richard Seip, Jonathan Astley, and LCC’s East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz.

Letters from Kitchener Circuit Counsellor Rev. Andy Schroth; Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee (former Senior Pastor at Holy Cross and LCC Past President), and Rev. Roland Syens (retired Assistant Pastor at Holy Cross) were read by elders Michael Branje and Brent Wentzlaff. A package of well-wishes sent from Rev. Astley’s former congregation at First Lutheran Church in Lloydminster, Alberta, was also presented.

Special music included “Hallelujah to the Saints” (which was also sung at Rev. Lloyd Wentzlaff’s retirement in 1994, after forty years as Holy Cross’ Senior Pastor). An original song, based on Rev. Astley’s life, was written by musical congregation members, Claude Massicotte and Brian Hallman, set to the tune of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days,” sung by the church choir and praise singers with a few additions from the congregation. As well, there was a congregational sing-along of “The Astley Medley,” written and played (to some familiar tunes) by Associate Pastor Paul Roggow.

Originally from Edmonton, Rev. Astley completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta and attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, graduating in 1985 with a Master of Divinity. His vicarage was at First Lutheran Church in Missoula, Montana. After graduation from seminary, he was assigned to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Kamloops, B.C., where he was ordained by Rev. Edwin Lehman in 1985. He served Good Shepherd and the Logan Lake Christian Fellowship from 1985-1990. He then took a call to First Lutheran Church in Lloydminster, Alberta, and also served Zion Lutheran Church in McLaughlin, Alberta. In 2009, Rev. Astley accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor of Holy Cross and was installed in September 2009.

Over the years, Rev. Astley has been heavily involved in the work of Lutheran Church–Canada, serving as a Circuit Counselor, Chairman of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure, Chairman of the Board of Regents at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, and as a member of the Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary. He was a vice president of the Synod from 2003-2017. From 2015-2016 he was appointed as the Interim Pastoral leader of the ABC District of LCC. Rev. Astley continues to serve LCC as a member of the national dialogue between LCC and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and was recently appointed to the Board of Managers for LCC’s Worker Benefit Services. In 2018, he was awarded the Delta Chi medal from the seminary in St. Catharines.

Videos of the retirement presentation and of Rev. Astley’s final service at Holy Cross can be found on the Holy Cross website: www.holycrosskitchener.org/home.

Jennifer Leppek

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