Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY
This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Gem City Church collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a “User”) of the https://gemcity.church/ website. This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by Gem City Church.
Personal identification information
We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, register for an event or group, make a donation, subscribe to the newsletter, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. If a User makes a donation or registration payment, payment card or bank account information is collected and processed directly by our third-party payment processor (such as Planning Center Giving); Gem City Church does not collect, view, or store full payment card or bank account numbers. By submitting any form on the Site that requests your phone number and/or email address, you consent to receive text messages (including SMS/MMS) and emails from us related to your inquiry, submission, donation, registration, or the services requested.”
Users may, however, visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personal identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.
Non-personal identification information
We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.
Web browser cookies
Our Site may use “cookies” to enhance User experience. User’s web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.
How we use collected information
Gem City Church may collect and use Users’ personal information for the following purposes:
To improve customer service: Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
To personalize user experience: We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site.
To improve our Site: We may use feedback you provide to improve our products and services.
To process payments: To process donations and registrations: Donations and event or group registration payments made through our Site are processed by our third-party payment processor (Planning Center Giving). We do not directly collect or store full payment card or bank account numbers. We may receive limited transaction information from our processor, such as the amount, date, and designation of a donation or registration, which we use only to maintain accurate records, provide receipts, and fulfill the donation or registration. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to provide the service.
To send periodic emails and text messages: We may use the email address to send User information and updates pertaining to their donation, registration, or inquiry. It may also be used to respond to their inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include Gem City Church news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email. If User submits a form that includes a phone number, we may also send text messages (including SMS/MMS) related to their inquiry, donation, registration, or the services requested. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency may vary. Users may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP, or opt out of emails using the unsubscribe link included in each message.
How we protect your information
We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site. Sensitive and private data exchange between the Site and its Users happens over a SSL secured communication channel and is encrypted and protected with digital signatures. Payment card and bank account information is collected and stored solely by our third-party payment processor and is not stored on our Site’s servers.
Sharing your personal information
We do not sell, trade, or rent Users’ personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.
Third party websites
Users may find advertising or other content on our Site that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website’s own terms and policies.
Changes to this privacy policy
Gem City Church has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.
Your acceptance of these terms
By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy and terms of service. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.
We have implemented the following:
Demographics and Interests Reporting
We use Google Analytics, a first-party analytics service, to help us understand how visitors use our Site. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect standard log information and visitor behavior data in an anonymous form. We do not use this data for advertising purposes, and we do not allow third-party behavioral tracking on our Site. We do not currently respond to Do Not Track (DNT) browser signals.
Opting out:
Users can set preferences for how Google advertises to you using the Google Ad Settings page. Alternatively, you can opt out by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative Opt Out page or by using the Google Analytics Opt Out Browser add on.
California Online Privacy Protection Act
CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require any person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting Personally Identifiable Information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. – See more at: https://consumercal.org/california-online-privacy-protection-act-caloppa/#sthash.0FdRbT51.dpuf
According to CalOPPA, we agree to the following:
Users can visit our site anonymously. Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our website. Our Privacy Policy link includes the word ‘Privacy’ and can be easily be found on the page specified above.
COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)
When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13 years old, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, United States’ consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children’s privacy and safety online.
We do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years old.
Where a form collects information about a child under 13, that form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian, who consents on the child’s behalf to the collection, use, and communications (including text and email) described in this Privacy Policy.
Fair Information Practices
The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.
In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we will take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:
We will notify you via email within 7 business days
We will notify the users via in-site notification within 1 business day
We also agree to the Individual Redress Principle which requires that individuals have the right to legally pursue enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or government agencies to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.
CAN-SPAM Act
The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.
CAN-SPAM applies to commercial email advertisements. Routine ministry, program, or donor communications that are not commercial in nature may fall outside CAN-SPAM’s technical scope, but the same unsubscribe/opt-out practices below are recommended as best practice regardless.
We collect your email address in order to:
Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions. Process donations and event or group registrations, and send information and updates pertaining to those donations or registrations.
To be in accordance with CANSPAM, we agree to the following:
Not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
Identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.
Include the physical address of our business or site headquarters.
Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.
Honor opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.
If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can email us at info@gemcity.church and we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence.
Text Messaging / SMS Communications
If you provide your phone number through a form on the Site, you agree that we may contact you by text message (including SMS/MMS) regarding your inquiry, submission, order, or related services. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of using the Site or making any purchase. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency may vary. You may opt out of text communications at any time by replying STOP to any message, or by contacting us using the information below. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
Contacting us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at info@gemcity.church.
Last updated – 9/19/2026