Privacy Policy

Updated Effective Date: July 7, 2026

We are Emmanuel United Methodist Church, referred to here as Emmanuel Memphis.

Welcome to Emmanuel Memphis (“we,” “our,” or “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your information when you visit our website.

Your Consent

By using our website, submitting information through our online forms, subscribing to communications, making online donations, or participating in church events, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection and use of your information as described herein.

Information We Collect

We may collect information in several ways, including:

Information You Voluntarily Provide

You may choose to provide personal information when you:

• Contact us through a form

• Request prayer

• Subscribe to our email newsletter

• Register for an event

• Volunteer for ministry opportunities

• Submit questions or comments

• Make an online donation

This information may include:

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Mailing address

• Any information you choose to include in your message

Automatically Collected Information

Like most websites, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device type

• Operating system

• Pages visited

• Time spent on our website

• Referring website

• General geographic location

This information helps us improve our website and better serve our visitors.

Cookies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Improve website performance

• Remember user preferences

• Analyze website traffic

• Enhance your browsing experience

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although some features of the website may not function properly.

How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:

• Respond to your inquiries

• Communicate about church events and ministries

• Send newsletters and updates (if you have subscribed)

• Process donations

• Improve our website

• Maintain website security

• Comply with legal obligations

We only use your information for purposes consistent with our ministry and operations.

Email Communications

If you subscribe to receive emails from us, you may receive:

• Church announcements

• Event information

• Ministry updates

• Prayer requests

• Special communications

You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link included in our emails.

SMS and Text Messaging

If you choose to receive text messages from Emmanuel Memphis, we may send you communications such as:

• Worship service reminders
• Church announcements
• Prayer updates
• Ministry and event information
• Volunteer scheduling
• Emergency notifications

By providing your mobile phone number and opting in to receive text messages, you consent to receive recurring automated or non-automated text messages from Emmanuel Memphis. Message frequency may vary.

Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier’s plan.

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message. For assistance, reply HELP or contact the church office.

We will never sell or share your mobile phone number with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Online Giving

If you make a donation through our website, payment information is processed through a secure third-party payment processor. We do not store your complete credit card or banking information on our servers.

Online Giving Through Shelby Systems

We are grateful for your financial support of our ministry.

Online donations made through our website are securely processed using Shelby Systems. Payment information, including credit card and bank account details, is encrypted and processed through Shelby Systems’ secure payment platform.

Emmanuel Memphis does not store complete credit card numbers or banking information on our website servers.

For additional information about how Shelby Systems protects your personal information, please review their privacy practices on their website.

Please review the privacy policies of any third-party payment providers used for online giving.

Third-Party Services

Our website may use trusted third-party services such as:

• Online giving platforms

• Email marketing providers

• Website hosting providers

• Analytics services

• Embedded videos or social media content

These providers may collect information according to their own privacy policies.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those third parties.

Sharing Your Information

We respect your privacy.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

We may share information only when necessary to:

• Operate our website

• Process donations

• Provide requested services

• Comply with applicable laws

• Protect the rights, safety, and security of our church and visitors

Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to help protect your personal information.

While no method of internet transmission is completely secure, we strive to use commercially reasonable safeguards to protect the information you provide.

Children’s Privacy

Our website is intended for a general audience.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without parental consent. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us so we can remove it.

Tennessee Privacy Rights

Emmanuel Memphis is committed to protecting the privacy of all visitors, regardless of where they live.

If you are a resident of Tennessee or another state with applicable privacy laws, you may request to:

• Access the personal information we have collected about you.
• Correct inaccurate or outdated information.
• Request deletion of personal information, subject to applicable legal or ministry recordkeeping requirements.
• Withdraw consent for future communications.
• Request information about how your personal information is used.

We will respond to reasonable privacy requests in accordance with applicable laws and within a reasonable timeframe.

To submit a privacy request, please contact us using the information provided on our Contact page.

Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of websites operated by others. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

Your Choices

You may:

• Request access to your personal information

• Ask us to update or correct your information

• Request removal from our mailing lists

• Request deletion of your personal information where appropriate

To make any of these requests, please contact us using the information below.

Photography, Video Recording, and Livestreams

As part of our ministry, Emmanuel Memphis may photograph, record video, or livestream worship services, church events, classes, and other ministry activities.

By attending church services or participating in church-sponsored events, you acknowledge that photographs, video recordings, or livestream footage may include your likeness, voice, or image.

These recordings and images may be used for purposes including:

• Livestreaming worship services
• Church website content
• Social media posts
• Printed publications
• Promotional materials
• Ministry communications
• Historical archives

We strive to use photographs and video respectfully and in a manner that honors our church family.

Parents or legal guardians who prefer that their minor child not appear in church photographs or videos should notify the church office in writing. We will make reasonable efforts to honor those requests whenever practical.

If you have concerns about a specific photograph or video published by Emmanuel Memphis, please contact the church office. We will review requests for removal on a case-by-case basis.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our ministry, website, or legal requirements.

Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date.

Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us through the contact information provided below.

• Emmanuel United Methodist Church
• 2404 Kirby Road
• Memphis, Tennessee 39119
• 901-754-6548
• info@emmanuelmemphis.org

Thank you for visiting Emmanuel United Methodist Church/Emmanuel Memphis. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and are committed to protecting your privacy.