Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025
 

Forest Chapel United Methodist Church is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you interact with our website. By using this website, whether you have read this Privacy Policy or not, you are fully consenting to this Policy.
 

1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:

a. Personal Information

-- Name, address, phone number, and email address
-- Family and household information (if provided)
-- Donation and payment details (processed securely)

b. Non-Personal Information

-- Website usage statistics (e.g., IP address, browser type, pages visited)
-- Event attendance records
-- Aggregated demographic data
 

2. How Personal Information is Collected

-- By visiting this website (cookies)
-- By making a donation to our church
-- By filling out a Contact Form through the website
-- By contacting us using email, phone, or any other means
-- Through third-party-cookies (such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Ads Manager, Facebook Pixel, etc.)
 

3. Anonymous Data Collection and Use
In order to ensure that our website delivers a high-quality experience, we may use your IP address to help diagnose problems on our end and to manage the Website by identifying which areas of the Website are being used the most, and to fine-tune our content for your best interest. Your IP address cannot personally identify you, but it is helpful to us for marketing purposes and for improving our services. Traffic data collection does not follow your activities on any other websites in any way. Anonymous traffic data may also be shared with business partners and advertisers.

 

In addition, we may utilize “cookies,” which is a feature of major browsers. Cookies are used to customize your website experience, improve the site’s functionality, or track how guests use our site. You may choose to disable cookies through your web browser’s settings at any time. By agreeing to our Privacy Policy, you agree to the use of cookies and similar technologies.
 

4. How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected for the following purposes:

-- To communicate with you about church events, ministries, and services
-- To process donations and maintain financial records
-- To provide pastoral care and spiritual support
-- To improve our website and outreach efforts
-- To comply with legal and church-related obligations
-- For troubleshooting purposes
-- During targeted social media or search engine advertisements
 

5. How We Share Your Information
Forest Chapel UMC does not sell, rent, or trade personal information. However, we may share data in the following circumstances:

-- With Church Leadership & Ministries: To provide pastoral care, ministry engagement, and event coordination
-- With Third-Party Service Providers: For secure payment processing, email communications, and website management
-- As Required by Law: To comply with legal obligations, respond to law enforcement requests, or protect the church and its members
 

6. Security and Storage of Your Information
We take appropriate measures to protect your personal information. However, no online data transmission is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your privacy, we cannot guarantee complete security and we cannot be responsible for any unauthorized or improper use of the information you voluntarily share.

We value your safety. Personal Information obtained by this website is stored internally or through a data management system and will only be accessed by people who are responsible for gathering, managing, or storing it, or who have a legitimate need to access it (i.e., our hosting provider, newsletter provider, payment processors, or staff).

If you are using our website in the European Union, please understand that your Personal Information may be transferred outside of the European Union. By using our Website and providing us with your Personal Information, you are consenting to these transfers exactly as stated within this Privacy Policy.

7. Your Privacy Choices
You have the right to:

-- Opt-Out: You may unsubscribe from church emails and newsletters at any time, or request to not be contacted by us again in any form.
-- Access & Update Your Information: Contact us to review or update your personal data.
-- Request Removal: You may request the deletion of your information, subject to legal and church record-keeping requirements.
 

8. Children's Privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If we become aware of such data collection, we will take immediate action to remove it.
 

9. Changes to This Policy
Forest Chapel UMC reserves the right to change or modify this Policy in any way, at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website with the updated effective date.

10. Contact Us
For questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Forest Chapel United Methodist Church


680 W Sharon Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240


office@forestchapel.org


513-825-3040

 

 

By engaging with Forest Chapel UMC, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. Thank you for being part of our church community!