CARPENTER'S CALL

Carpenter’s Call began as a faith-driven challenge for men of all ages at St. Joseph Parish and has grown into a year-round brotherhood rooted in fraternity, service, and spiritual strength. At its core, Carpenter’s Call brings men together to pray, train, and walk alongside one another as disciples of Jesus Christ—always with an eye toward loving and serving our wider community.

Join us for Carpenter's Call this May in Support of
St. Elizabeth Center Men's Overnight Emergency Shelter!

Join us this May for a Carpenter’s Call physical and spiritual challenge that will push body and soul together in service of others. The event will consist of a ½‑mile run, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and a final ½‑mile run—completed as one body, side by side, with no one moving forward alone.

This challenge is undertaken in support of St. Elizabeth Center’s Men’s Overnight Emergency Shelter, with funds raised to serve men experiencing homelessness in our wider community. All are invited to support this effort through prayer and generous financial contributions. Just as the Body of Christ moves together, we commit to completing each station as brothers, ensuring no one is left behind.

In the weeks leading up to the Carpenter’s Call challenge, we will gather regularly for Saturday morning brotherhood gatherings focused on prayer, formation, fellowship, and physical preparation. These gatherings are open to all men at no cost, even for those who do not plan to register for the challenge itself. They are an important part of what makes Carpenter’s Call more than just an event — they are where brotherhood is built.

Brotherhood gatherings begin at 9:00 a.m.

Location:
St. Joseph Parish, Avon Lake
32929 Lake Rd., Avon Lake, OH 44012

Please plan to meet in the Gathering Area. The meeting leader will then guide the group to the space reserved for that week’s gathering.

Brotherhood & the Word (Prayer and Scripture Gatherings)

These brotherhood gatherings are centered on prayer, Scripture, and guided discussion. Together, we reflect on our shared identity as the Body of Christ, support one another in faith, and practice accompaniment through honest conversation and common prayer.

Dates:

Saturday, February 21
Saturday, March 7
Saturday, March 21
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, May 9

Brotherhood in Motion (Fitness Training Gatherings)

These brotherhood gatherings focus on group-based physical training designed to prepare us for the demands of Carpenter’s Call. Training emphasizes moving together, pacing one another, and building strength through shared effort. Each session will still include prayer and intentional reflection.

Dates:

Saturday, February 28
Saturday, March 14
Saturday, March 28
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, May 2
Saturday, May 16

Open to adult men of our parish & community!

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026
T3 Performance - 1965 Recreation Ln, Bldg 2, Avon, Ohio

DONATE TO ST. ELIZABETH CENTER!

F A Q

What time should I arrive on the day of the event?

Please plan to arrive by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30. This will give you time to stretch, get oriented, and complete the required T3 Performance release form before we begin. Giving yourself a little extra time will help everything start smoothly.

Where is the event held?

Carpenter’s Call Fitness Challenge takes place at T3 Performance in Avon.

Address: 1965 Recreation Ln, Avon, OH 44011 (Building 2)
Phone: (440) 934‑2244

There is plenty of parking available on site.

Do I need a membership at T3 Performance?

No. You do not need a T3 membership to participate. You can purchase a single‑day pass for $10 when you arrive.

Is there a cost to participate?

Yes. Registration is $25, which includes the 2026 Carpenter’s Call t-shirt. Registration and payment are handled through Realm.

If the registration fee is a barrier for you, please do not let that stop you from participating. Reach out directly to Crew Spence at cspence@stjosephavonlake.org, and we will make sure cost is not an obstacle.

In addition to registration, participants are encouraged to raise money for the St. Elizabeth Center Overnight Men’s Emergency Shelter through our GoFundMe page.

Do I need to register ahead of time?

Yes, please register in advance. Registration is required to participate in the event itself and to receive a Carpenter’s Call t-shirt. Early registration helps us plan well and guarantees your t-shirt size.

If you register after April 15, your shirt may be delayed and provided after the event.

While registration is required for the event, all men are welcome to join us for any of the fellowship, prayer, and training meetings leading up to Carpenter’s Call—whether or not you are registered to participate in the physical challenge.

What does the event actually entail?

Carpenter’s Call consists of a group-based workout completed in stations, with everyone moving through the course together.

On the day of the event, the flow is:

A half‑mile run outdoors on an out‑and‑back course (¼ mile out, ¼ mile back)
200 push‑ups indoors on turf
300 squats indoors on turf
A final half‑mile run outdoors, completed together

All stations are completed as a group. No one moves on to the next station until everyone has finished the current one. This may mean waiting, pacing together, or stepping back in to support others as needed.

The goal is not speed or individual performance, but shared effort, endurance, and brotherhood — living out our theme of One Body in Christ.

What if I can’t complete all the reps or distances?

Don’t let that stop you from participating.

The goal of Carpenter’s Call is not perfection or comparison. Ideally, our training sessions will help prepare you, but everyone is encouraged to do what they can.

If you reach your limit at any station, simply let us know. We will still move forward together as a group.

What if I finish an event faster than others?

If you finish early, you are expected to stay with the group and support your brothers.

No one moves on to the next station until everyone has completed the current one. Some participants may pace themselves to finish alongside others, or turn back to complete portions of the course together. The emphasis is on shared effort, responsibility for one another, and finishing each station as one body.

Is this a race or a competition?

No. Carpenter’s Call is not a competition.

There are no winners, trophies, or rankings. Instead:

We all start the first half‑mile run together
No one moves on to push‑ups until everyone finishes the run
No one moves on to squats until everyone finishes push‑ups
No one begins the final run until everyone completes squats
We finish the final run together

The purpose is fellowship, brotherhood, and living out our theme: One Body in Christ.

Can friends and family come watch?

Yes! Friends and family are welcome to come and cheer you on.

Indoor portions (push‑ups and squats) have bleacher seating
Outdoor portions are standing‑room viewing
The run is an out‑and‑back course, so spectators can see most of it

There is no admission cost for spectators.

Will food and water be provided?

We will have limited snacks and beverages available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own hydration and nutrition to be safe.

Are bathrooms and changing areas available?

Yes. Bathrooms and locker rooms are available at T3 Performance.

Do I have to attend all the meetings leading up to the event?

No. Attendance at all pre‑event meetings is not required.

That said, you are encouraged to attend as many as you can. These Saturday morning gatherings are an important part of the formation, fellowship, and preparation that make Carpenter’s Call more than just an event.