Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 1, 2026

Sonoma United Methodist Church ("SUMC," "we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information obtained through our website and online services.

Contact Information

Sonoma United Methodist Church
109 Patten Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: (707) 996-2151
Website: www.sonomaumc.net

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us through the information above.

Information We Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

Submit a contact form
Sign up for newsletters or email updates
Register for events or ministry activities
Submit prayer requests
Volunteer for church activities
Make a donation
Request information about our ministries

The information collected may include:

Name
Email address
Phone number
Mailing address
Event registration details
Volunteer interests
Donation information
Any other information you choose to provide

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically,:

IP address
Browser type
Device information
Pages viewed
Date and time of visits
Referring websites

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

How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

Respond to inquiries and requests
Communicate about worship services, events, ministries, and programs
Manage registrations and volunteer activities
Process donations
Send church newsletters and announcements
Improve our website and online services
Maintain website security and functionality
Comply with legal obligations

Email Communications

We may send emails regarding church news, worship opportunities, events, ministry activities, and other information relevant to our congregation and community.

Email communications may be managed through Mailchimp. You may unsubscribe from non-essential email communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in our emails.

Online Giving

Online donations are processed through Stripe, a third-party payment processor.

Sonoma United Methodist Church does not store complete credit card information on our website servers. Payment information is collected and processed securely by Stripe according to its own privacy and security practices.

We encourage donors to review Stripe's privacy policy for additional information regarding payment processing.

Planning Center

We use Planning Center to manage church events, volunteer scheduling, registrations, and other ministry activities.

Information submitted through registrations, forms, or ministry sign-ups may be stored and processed through Planning Center in accordance with Planning Center's privacy practices.

Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve user experience and understand website usage.

Cookies may be used to:

Remember user preferences
Support website functionality
Measure website traffic and engagement

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

Sharing of Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

We may share information with trusted service providers that help us operate our website and ministries, including:

Wix (website hosting and forms)
Planning Center (church management and event registration)
Mailchimp (email communications)
Stripe (payment processing)

These providers are permitted to use information only as necessary to provide services on our behalf.

We may also disclose information when required by law or when necessary to protect the safety, rights, or property of our church, congregation, staff, volunteers, or visitors.

Children's Privacy

Our ministries serve children and families. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website without appropriate parental involvement or consent where required.

Parents or guardians who have questions regarding information about a child may contact the church directly.

Photos, Videos, and Livestreams

Sonoma United Methodist Church may photograph, record, or livestream worship services, ministry events, and community activities.

These images, recordings, and livestreams may be used on our website, social media channels, newsletters, or other church communications.

Individuals who have concerns about appearing in photographs, videos, or livestreams are encouraged to contact the church office.

California Privacy Rights

California residents may request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information maintained by the church, subject to applicable legal and organizational requirements.

To make such a request, please contact the church office using the information listed above.

Sonoma United Methodist Church does not sell personal information.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites. Sonoma United Methodist Church is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date.

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Sonoma United Methodist Church
109 Patten Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: (707) 996-2151

around photography permissions than around website privacy itself. A one-page media-release policy for children, youth, and vulnerable adults can help avoid future problems.