Web Site Privacy Policy
This privacy policy describes the Bethlehem Lutheran Church's current policies and practices with regard to personal data collected by the church through this website. This privacy policy does not apply to information collected offline or in any other way. The term “personal data” refers to personally identifiable information about you, such as your name, birth date, e-mail address or mailing address, and any other information that identifies you personally.
Your Consent
By using this website you consent to our use of your personal data as described in this privacy policy.
Notification of Changes to this Policy
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is continually improving and adding new functionality and features to this website and improving and adding to its existing services and programs. Because of these ongoing changes, changes in the law and the changing nature of technology, the church's data practices will change from time to time. If and when our data practices change, the church will post the changes on this website to notify you of the changes. We encourage you to check this page frequently.
Personal Data Collected through this Website
The only personal data the Bethlehem Lutheran Church currently collects through this website is the information you give us when you use our site. This includes, for example, the information you provide when you register for a newsletter, program, service, or event; manage your online directory information; or when you send us your comments or requests for information.
The church uses the information you provide for the purposes for which it was originally collected, for example, to respond to your e-mail or provide the programs or services you requested. The church also uses this information to help us improve the content and functionality of our websites, to better understand the needs and interests of the people and organizations that use our website, and to improve our programs and services. The church may use this information to contact you in the future to tell you about organizations, programs, services, and other things we believe will be of interest to you or to ask for your support.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church may share the personal information you provide to us with consultants and other third parties who act for or on behalf of the church, for further processing or analysis. In addition, there may be some other, limited circumstances in which the church may share or transfer the personal information in its databases, for example, to comply with a legal requirement, for the administration of justice, to protect your vital interests, to protect the security or integrity of our databases or this Web site, to take precautions against legal liability, or in the event of a corporate merger, reorganization, dissolution, or similar event.
Anonymous Data Collected through Church Websites
In addition to the information you provide when you use our website, Bethlehem Lutheran Church uses technology to collect anonymous information about the use of our website. For example, we use technology to track how many visitors access our website, the date and time of their visit, the length of their stay, and which pages they view. We also use technology to determine which web browsers our visitors use and the address from which they accessed our site.
This technology does not identify you personally. It simply enables us to compile statistics about our visitors and their use of our site. The church uses this anonymous data and shares it with third-parties for various reasons, for example, to improve the content and functionality of our website, to better understand the needs and interests of our visitors, to improve our programs and services.
Cookies
In order to collect the anonymous data described in the preceding paragraph, the church may use temporary “cookies” that collect the first level domain name of the user (for example, if your e-mail address is “name@xyz.com,” the cookie collects the “xyz.com” portion of your e-mail address) and the date and time you accessed this website. Cookies by themselves cannot be used to discover the identity of the user. A cookie is a small piece of information which is sent to your browser and stored on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies do not damage your computer. You can set your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie. This enables you to decide if you want to accept it or not. At the present time, the synod only uses temporary or “session” cookies. These “session” cookies expire when your browser window is closed.
In order for certain applications on the church's website to function properly, if at all, it is necessary for your computer to accept cookies.
Children
Bethlehem Lutheran Church does not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of thirteen. If you are under thirteen, please do not give us any personal data. If you have reason to believe that a child has provided personal data to the synod, please contact us, and we will endeavor to delete that information from our databases. As we develop online programs for children, we will adopt appropriate policies and practices to protect the privacy of children.
Links to Other Sites
This privacy policy applies only to this website. This site contains many hyperlinks to websites that are not operated by Bethlehem Lutheran Church. These hyperlinks are provided for your reference and convenience only and do not imply any endorsement of the activities of these third-party websites or any association with their operators. The church does not control these websites and is not responsible for their data practices. We urge you to review the privacy policy posted on any site you visit before using the site or providing any personal data about yourself.
Governing Law
This privacy policy forms part of our website Terms and Conditions and as such shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.
Questions About Our Privacy Policy
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or concerns about the way the Bethlehem Lutheran Church uses personal data, please contact us.