Our Sunday School starts at 9:00 AM and, depending upon which class one attends, meets in one of three buildings on our campus - you can check the map to get an idea. The worship service is at 10:15 AM in the sanctuary.

Our service about an hour long (sometimes a little bit more [depending on the preacher]). After worship on the first Sunday of the month, everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall across the way for refreshments and fellowship. It is a great time to meet and greet new friends.

People dress in all different styles for worship these days, from formal to casual. We believe that God cares far more about your heart than your fashion, so we encourage you to dress in a way that honors God and is comfortable to you.

Fortunately, we have been blessed with a wonderful campus - over 50 acres, much of which has been set aside as a nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary. There are several parking lots strategically placed among our buildings which should provide ample space (check out the map), plus designated handicap parking spaces near the entrances to the sanctuary and fellowship buildings.

Childcare is available for both Sunday School and our worship service. Aside from the nursery, young children can enjoy listening to Bible stories and singing songs in our children's worship. Parents are asked to bring their kids to the adult service, where following the Moment with the Young Disciples they will be escorted to the Good Shepherd School Building for children's worship.

Lots, actually. Our Presbyterian Youth Connection is for Middle and Senior High School youth. The groups meet on Sunday nights from 6:00 to 7:30 pm during the school year, in addition to special events such as mission trips, retreats, and additional fellowship events. They also participate in a variety of annual service projects.

Worship at Dorchester Presbyterian is considered "traditional" in the best sense of the word - our liturgical practice comes from generations long past, but is perfectly willing to welcome the best of today and tomorrow. Our music runs the gamut from the rich classical style to contemporary gospel strains. We are not afraid to laugh (in appropriate places, we trust) or applaud when something moves us to gratitude. Even the occasional AMEN makes its way out of our collective throat. Our pastors are excellent preachers who take care to make biblical themes relevant to everyday life. Expect to be blessed by your worship experience at DPC.

We do indeed. We celebrate the Lord's Supper on the 1st Sunday of every month as well as at special times of the church year such as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve, etc.

Only if you want to get to know the folks with whom you are worshiping and want them to get to know you. Name tags are a wonderful way of making new acquaintances comfortable with each other as no one has to struggle to remember names.

No. We are very glad you have come to visit and we certainly have no intention of embarrassing you for your choice. We hope that you will fill out a Visitors Card - that will help us to get to know you and we look forward to that opportunity.

Of course! As with most mainline congregations these days, Dorchester has members who have come from Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, non-denominational, and a host of other backgrounds. That is to be expected - 21st century American Christians tend to choose a church based, not on the denominational label, but whether it meets the needs of that individual and his or her family. DPC is proudly Presbyterian and we celebrate our Reformed heritage. So saying, we do not believe there are Presbyterians in heaven...or Baptists, or Methodists, or Catholics, or any other denominational family. We believe that there is only one name by which God identifies us, and that is the name of Christ. We are Christians first!

If you're interested in learning more about the Presbyterian Church (USA), we encourage you to visit the denominational website at www.pcusa.org and in particular "Presbyterian 101" for more information.

We currently have almost 300 on our Active Roll plus about 40 on our Baptized Roll (children of the church who have not yet reached Confirmation age). We are always looking for new members - after all, Jesus' last instruction to us was to "make disciples." If you are interested, check out the next question.

First, speak to one of our pastors to make your interest known. They will arrange for you to attend a New Members class which explains Presbyterian history, beliefs, and government, along with opportunities for service and growth here. If you have been a member elsewhere, we will have our office write for a Letter of Transfer; if you have never been a member anywhere before, we will arrange for your baptism (if you have not been baptized previously) and Profession of Faith (click here for information about that). You will meet with the Session (the governing body in a Presbyterian Church) and will be accepted as a new member at that time .

In a word, no. Predestination is a most misunderstood doctrine which many mistakenly misconstrue as fatalism, and that has never been the Presbyterian position. To get a brief overview of a correct understanding, click here for a synopsis. So saying, the only belief that is bedrock for Presbyterians is the one that has been bedrock since New Testament days: Jesus Christ is Lord. If you can make that profession of faith, you can be a Presbyterian.