PRIVACY POLICY

A legal disclaimer

ST RUFAEL AND ABUNE ECHEGE YOHANNES ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CONGREGATION ("the Church", "we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy of all visitors and members who interact with our website. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information.

The information collected and shared via this website is intended solely for the purpose of spiritual outreach, communication, community engagement, and church-related services. We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties. While we take reasonable steps to safeguard your data, no method of online transmission or storage is 100% secure. By using our website, you acknowledge and accept this limitation.

We understand the importance of your privacy. Here's a brief overview of the key points:

Personal Information: We collect only the information you voluntarily provide (e.g., contact forms, email subscriptions, prayer requests).
Usage Information: We may collect non-personal data like browser type, IP address, and pages visited, to help us improve the website experience.
Cookies: Our website may use cookies to personalize your experience and track anonymous usage data.
Third Parties: We do not share your personal information with third-party marketers. Information may be shared only with service providers who assist in church operations (e.g., email platforms), and only as necessary.
Your Control: You may request to review, update, or delete your personal information at any time by contacting us.

What to include in the Privacy Policy

Here is a breakdown of what’s covered in our full Privacy Policy:

1. Information We Collect

Full name, email address, phone number (if provided via forms)
Communication preferences
Event registration data
Anonymous website usage data (e.g., IP address, browser type)

2. How We Use the Information

To respond to inquiries or prayer requests
To share church announcements, newsletters, or event updates (with your consent)
To maintain internal church records
To improve website functionality and user experience

3. How We Protect Your Information

We use industry-standard security measures such as SSL encryption.
Access to your information is limited to authorized personnel only.

4. Cookies & Tracking

Cookies help us enhance user experience and analyze site traffic.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though some features may not function properly.

5. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

6. Third-Party Services

We may use trusted third-party services (e.g., email distribution platforms) to manage communications.
These services are obligated to protect your data and are not allowed to use it for unrelated purposes.

7. Your Rights

You can request access to your data, ask for corrections, or request deletion.
You can opt-out of receiving communication at any time by following the "unsubscribe" link in emails or contacting us directly.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as needed. All updates will be posted on this page with the revised effective date.

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at:

ST RUFAEL AND ABUNE ECHEGE YOHANNES ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CONGREGATION.