2. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information that you choose to provide through our website,
forms, registrations, online giving, ministry participation, email subscriptions, text
messaging, and other church-related communications.
This information may include:
Name
Mailing address
Email address
Phone number
Emergency contact information
Information submitted through forms or registrations
Communication preferences
Volunteer or ministry participation information
Donation and giving information
Prayer requests or other information you voluntarily share with us
Prayer requests and other information you voluntarily share with us may be used or
shared with appropriate church staff, ministry leaders, or prayer team members as
reasonably necessary for ministry purposes, subject to the nature of the information
provided. Please do not submit highly sensitive medical, counseling, or other
confidential personal information through general forms, email, or text messaging
unless specifically requested. Sensitive information is accessed only by those with a
legitimate ministry, safety, or administrative need.
We may also collect limited technical information through our website such as browser
type, pages visited, and general website usage data through cookies or analytics tools.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to support the ministries and operations of the church,
including:
Communicating church news, ministry updates, and event information
Sending newsletters, emails, and text messages
Managing ministry registrations and participation
Coordinating volunteers and church activities
Responding to questions or requests
Processing online donations and maintaining contribution records
Improving our website, communications, and ministry services
Maintaining church safety and security
Complying with legal obligations
We use your information only for purposes consistent with church ministry and
administration.
4. Text Messaging and SMS Communications
If you choose to opt in to receive text messages from us, we may send church updates,
ministry announcements, event reminders, schedule changes, emergency notifications,
and other church-related communications.
Message frequency may vary. Standard message and data rates may apply depending
on your mobile carrier.
You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any
message. For assistance, reply HELP or contact the church office at
office@parkefc.org. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of attending
church or participating in ministry.
We use trusted third-party communication providers, including Mailchimp, to help
manage email and SMS communications. Church communication channels, including
email, text messaging, and website forms, are not monitored at all times and should not
be used for emergencies. If you need immediate assistance, contact 911 or appropriate
emergency services.
5. Online Giving and Payment Information
Online donations and payments may be processed through secure third-party payment
providers. We do not store complete credit card or banking information on our servers.
Information related to donations may be retained as necessary for accounting, tax, and
legal purposes.
6. Children’s Information and Photo Policy
Certain ministries and events may involve the collection of information related to minors,
including children’s ministry registrations, youth events, Vacation Bible School (VBS),
emergency contact information, medical information voluntarily provided by parents or
guardians, and participation records.
Information relating to minors is collected only with parental or guardian involvement
and is used solely for ministry participation, communication, and safety.
From time to time, photographs or videos may be taken during church services, events,
or ministry activities for use in church communications, presentations, social media,
promotional materials, or the church website.
For children participating in ministries or events such as VBS, parental or guardian
permission for photo use will always be requested annually through a photo release
authorization process. Parents or guardians may decline permission for photographs or
videos of their child to be used in church materials.
We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children without
parental or guardian involvement. Parents or guardians may contact the church
regarding information submitted about a minor child.
7. Sharing of Information
We do not sell or rent personal information.
We may share information with trusted third-party service providers that assist us in
operating church ministries and services, including:
Email and SMS communication providers
Online giving platforms
Church management software providers
Website hosting providers
Event registration systems
Livestreaming or media platforms
These providers may access, process, or store personal information as necessary to
provide services to the church and are expected to appropriately safeguard that
information. Their handling of personal information may also be governed by their own
privacy policies or contractual arrangements with the church, as applicable.
We may also disclose information if required by law or if necessary to protect the safety,
rights, or property of the church or others.
8. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve website functionality,
analyze website traffic, and better understand how visitors use our site.
You may choose to disable cookies through your web browser settings, though some
portions of the website may not function properly as a result. Some embedded third-
party content or analytics tools may also collect limited usage information in accordance
with their own settings and policies.
9. Your Communication Choices
You may unsubscribe from church emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link
included in our emails or by contacting the church office.
You may opt out of text messages by replying STOP to any SMS communication.
Even if you opt out of promotional communications, we may still contact you regarding
important church administration or ministry matters.
10. Retention of Information
We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for ministry,
administrative, legal, accounting, tax, or safety purposes. For example, donation and
contribution records may be retained for accounting and tax purposes, communication
preferences may be retained until updated or withdrawn, and event or ministry
participation information may be retained as needed to support ministry administration
and safety.
Information may be securely deleted when it is no longer needed.
11. Data Security
We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to help protect personal
information from unauthorized access, disclosure, misuse, or loss.
However, no electronic communication or online system can be guaranteed completely
secure.
12. Your Rights
Depending on applicable laws, you may have the right to:
Request access to personal information we maintain about you
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Request deletion of personal information where appropriate
Withdraw consent for communications
Ask questions about how your information is used
To make a request, please contact the church office using the information below. We will
consider reasonable requests in accordance with applicable law and our ministry,
administrative, and legal obligations.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as our ministries, technologies, or
legal obligations change.
Any updates will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.
14. Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is
handled, please contact:
Park Evangelical Free Church
4 Roosevelt Place
New City, NY 10956
office@parkefc.org
845-634-3353