Last Updated: November 2024
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church ("we," "us," or "our") values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information from visitors to our website, smls.org.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide through forms on our website, such as:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Other contact details you choose to share
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit smls.org, we automatically collect information through cookies and similar technologies, including:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Pages viewed
- Time spent on pages
- Referring URL
How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information to:
- Respond to your inquiries or requests submitted via forms.
- Communicate updates about our church, events, or services.
- Analyze website performance and user behavior using Google Analytics.
- Improve our website’s content and functionality.
- Provide tailored content through advertising using the Facebook Pixel.
Tracking and Cookies
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. Google Analytics collects information such as:
- Your IP address
- Browsing behavior on our site
For more information on how Google collects and processes data, please visit https://policies.google.com/privacy.
Facebook Pixel
We may use the Facebook Pixel to track interactions on our site and serve personalized ads on Facebook. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/
Cookies
Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us improve your browsing experience. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though some functionality may be limited.
How We Protect Your Information
We implement reasonable security measures to safeguard your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We encourage you to exercise caution when sharing information online.
Third-Party Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share data with trusted third-party services that assist us in operating our website, such as:
- Google (Google Analytics)
- Facebook (Facebook Pixel)
These third parties are obligated to keep your information secure and confidential.
Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
- Request corrections to any inaccuracies in your personal information.
- Opt-out of Google Analytics tracking using the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On
- Opt-out of Facebook personalized ads through your Ad Preferences
Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at 262-912-6060.