Privacy Policy

Updated July 2026

This privacy policy outlines how Winchester Church of God uses and protects any information that you give Winchester Church of God when you use this website. Winchester Church of God is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. Winchester Church of God may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective starting July 8, 2026.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

● Personally identifiable information that you provide to us

● Viewing patterns

● Browser software and versions

● Operating system

● IP address

● Search engine keywords

What we do with gathered information

We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, particularly for the following reasons:

● To fulfill your requests for products or services

● To assist us in serving you related to a ministry in which you or your family/child participates

● To organize volunteers for ministry purposes

● To contact you when necessary

● To view and analyze site usage and operations

● To identify and address problems within our site, ministry or services

● To provide you with personalized messaging within the site

We may disclose your information to companies that provide services for us, or with whom we have a relationship in order to offer you targeted information about events or services we believe may be of interest to you.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we have put in place physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. Any data collected on the website is stored in a secure database. Access to the data is restricted by password protection. Donations and online payments are encrypted and secured by our Merchant Provider, Stripe.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. The file is added and the cookie helps analyze web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences. We use cookies and/or sessions to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyze data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Mobile Messaging (SMS) Privacy

When you opt in to our SMS messaging service, we collect your mobile phone number and message metadata (e.g., timestamps, delivery status). This data is processed solely to deliver messaging functionality to you, such as announcements, reminders, and time-sensitive updates. We do not share or sell this data.

We must obtain your explicit, documented consent before sending you messages. By opting in, you acknowledge that message and data rates may apply and that message frequency may vary.

You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying to any message with a standard opt-out keyword, such as STOP, QUIT, END, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE. If you reply with HELP, you will automatically receive information on getting assistance. We are committed to honoring all opt-out requests immediately and ensuring all messages comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over other websites. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide while visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. [CHURCH NAME] does not endorse or take responsibility for any other website or the content of any other website.

Controlling your personal information

All information collected is assumed to be for informational purposes. We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so.