Privacy Policy

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First UMC Online Privacy Policy

First United Methodist Church is committed to protecting your privacy and developing technology that gives you the most powerful and safe online experience. This Statement of Privacy applies to the First United Methodist Church Web site and governs data collection and usage. By using the First United Methodist Church website, you consent to the data practices described in this statement.

Collection of your Personal Information

First United Methodist Church collects personally identifiable information, such as, but not limited to, your e-mail address, name, home or work address or telephone number. First United Methodist Church also collects anonymous demographic information, which is not unique to you, such as, but not limited to, your ZIP code, age, gender, preferences, interests and favorites.

There is also information about your computer hardware and software that is automatically collected by First United Methodist Church. This information can include: your IP address, browser type, domain names, access times and referring Web site addresses. This information is used by First United Methodist Church for the operation of the service, to maintain quality of the service, and to provide general statistics regarding use of the First United Methodist Church Web site.

First United Methodist Church encourages you to review the privacy statements of Web sites you choose to link to from First United Methodist Church so that you can understand how those Web sites collect, use and share your information. First United Methodist Church is not responsible for the privacy statements or other content on Web sites outside of the First United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church family of Web sites.

Use of your Personal Information

First United Methodist Church collects and uses your personal information to operate the First United Methodist Church Web site and deliver the services you have requested. First United Methodist Church also uses your personally identifiable information to inform you of other products or services available from First United Methodist Church and its affiliates. First United Methodist Church may also contact you via surveys to conduct research about your opinion of current services or of potential new services that may be offered.

First United Methodist Church does not sell, rent or lease its customer lists to third parties. First United Methodist Church may, from time to time, contact you on behalf of external business partners about a particular offering that may be of interest to you. In those cases, your unique personally identifiable information (e-mail, name, address, telephone number) is not transferred to the third party. In addition, First United Methodist Church may share data with trusted partners to help us perform statistical analysis, send you email or postal mail, provide customer support, or arrange for deliveries. All such third parties are prohibited from using your personal information except to provide these services to First United Methodist Church, and they are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information.

First United Methodist Church does not use or disclose sensitive personal information, such as race, religion, or political affiliations, without your explicit consent.

First United Methodist Church keeps track of the Web sites and pages our customers visit within First United Methodist Church, in order to determine what First United Methodist Church services are the most popular. This data is used to deliver customized content within First United Methodist Church to customers whose behavior indicates that they are interested in a particular subject area.

First United Methodist Church Web sites will disclose your personal information, without notice, only if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on First United Methodist Church or the site; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of First United Methodist Church; and, (c) act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of First United Methodist Church, or the public.

Use of Cookies

The First United Methodist Church Web site use “cookies” to help you personalize your online experience. A cookie is a text file that is placed on your hard disk by a Web page server. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. Cookies are uniquely assigned to you, and can only be read by a web server in the domain that issued the cookie to you.

One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide a convenience feature to save you time. The purpose of a cookie is to tell the Web server that you have returned to a specific page. For example, if you personalize First United Methodist Church’s pages, or register with First United Methodist Church site or services, a cookie helps First United Methodist Church to recall your specific information on subsequent visits. This simplifies the process of recording your personal information, such as billing addresses, shipping addresses, and so on. When you return to the same First United Methodist Church Web site, the information you previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the First United Methodist Church features that you customized.

You have the ability 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. If you choose to decline cookies, you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features of the First United Methodist Church services or Web sites you visit.

Security of your Personal Information

First United Methodist Church secures your personal information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. First United Methodist Church secures the personally identifiable information you provide on computer servers in a controlled, secure environment, protected from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. When personal information (such as a credit card number) is transmitted to other Web sites, it is protected through the use of encryption, such as the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol.

Changes to this Statement

First United Methodist Church will occasionally update this Statement of Privacy to reflect company and customer feedback. First United Methodist Church encourages you to periodically review this Statement to be informed of how First United Methodist Church is protecting your information.

Contact Information

First United Methodist Church welcomes your comments regarding this Statement of Privacy. If you believe that First United Methodist Church has not adhered to this Statement, please contact First United Methodist Church. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly determine and remedy the problem.

Photo & Video Policy

At First United Methodist Church of Park Ridge (“FUMC”) we value the way in which photos, videos and other media help our faith community grow and flourish. Photos and videos tell our story, provide visitors information and an idea of what to expect when they attend our worship services and events, highlight the work of those who serve, and allow us to communicate our mission as a church via our website and other digital and print media.

Accordingly, photography, videography, live streaming and other recording may be in progress at FUMC’s Sunday services, ministry activities, classes, programs and other events. FUMC may use the media recorded at these events in materials produced by or for the church, including but not limited to, our bulletins, posters, brochures, newsletters and other printed and electronic materials, digital media (e.g. FUMC’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites.)

By participating in FUMC’s services, ministry activities, classes, programs and events: (i) you consent to be photographed, videotaped or otherwise recorded; (ii) you grant your permission for FUMC to use the recordings containing your image, likeness, voice or statements, without compensation, credit or other consideration to you, for FUMC’s promotional, publicity and other purposes, throughout the world and in perpetuity; and (iii) you agree to release, hold harmless and indemnify FUMC from any and all liabilities and claims involving the use of your image, likeness, voice or statements.

While we reserve the right to photograph and record church events, we strive to ensure that photography and videography are used in safe and positive ways. We will not knowingly and intentionally post any photo, video or other recording that would be embarrassing, objectional or hurtful to any clearly, personally identifiable individual in the recording.

Additionally, if you see a photo on FUMC’s website or social media pages that includes you or your child and would like it removed, please contact the church office at 847-825-3144.