Effective Date: January 2024

Bethany City Church ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our members, visitors, and online users. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information. By engaging with our church services, attending events, or visiting our website, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

## 1. Information We Collect

### 1.1. Personal Information
We may collect personal information from you in various ways, including when you:
- Attend our church services or events
- Register for classes, groups, or other church activities
- Make donations or tithes
- Contact us for pastoral care or counseling
- Sign up for newsletters or other communications
- Use our website, mobile apps, or online services

The personal information we collect may include:
- Name
- Contact details (e.g., address, phone number, email address)
- Date of birth
- Marital status
- Family members' information
- Financial information (for donations or payments)
- Any other information you voluntarily provide to us

### 1.2. Non-Personal Information
We may collect non-personal information automatically when you visit our website, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type
- Operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on them
- Referring website addresses

## 2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information for the following purposes:
- To provide and manage church services, activities, and events
- To communicate with you regarding church news, events, and updates
- To process donations, tithes, and other financial transactions
- To provide pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual support
- To maintain accurate records of attendance, membership, and participation
- To improve our website, services, and user experience
- To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

## 3. Sharing Your Information

### 3.1. With Third Parties
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our church, conducting our business, or providing services to you, such as:
- Payment processors for donations
- Email and communication service providers
- IT and website management providers
- Event registration platforms

These third parties are obligated to protect your information and only use it for the specific purposes for which it was shared.

### 3.2. Legal Compliance
We may disclose your personal information if required by law, court order, or government regulations, or if we believe that such action is necessary to comply with legal obligations, protect our rights, or ensure the safety of our members and attendees.

## 4. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure. These measures include physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards. However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

## 5. Your Choices and Rights

### 5.1. Accessing and Updating Your Information
You have the right to access, update, or correct your personal information held by us. If you wish to do so, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below.

### 5.2. Opting Out
You may opt out of receiving communications from us at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or contacting us directly. Please note that even if you opt out of receiving emails, we may still send you essential communications related to your involvement with Bethany City Church.

## 6. Children's Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

## 7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this page.

## 8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us at:

**Bethany City Church**  
Bede Tower, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR1 7EA
Tel: 0191 5654000
info@bethanycitychurch.org

We are committed to addressing your privacy concerns and will respond to your inquiries as promptly as possible.

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This Privacy Policy outlines the practices of Bethany City Church regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. It is designed to provide transparency and ensure your trust as you participate in our church community.