Privacy Policy

St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (“the Church,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information obtained through our website and related services.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including but not limited to:

• Full name
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Donation amount and transaction details
• Messages or inquiries submitted through contact forms

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

2. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used solely for legitimate church-related purposes, including:

• Processing and acknowledging donations
• Communicating about church services, events, and activities
• Responding to inquiries or requests
• Maintaining internal records as required by law
• Complying with legal, tax, and regulatory obligations

We do not use personal information for commercial marketing purposes.

3. Payment Processing and Financial Information

Online donations made through our website are processed securely by Stripe, a third-party payment processor.

• The Church does not store, process, or have access to your full credit or debit card information
• Stripe’s handling of payment data is governed by its own privacy and security policies

4. Sharing of Information

We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise disclose personal information to third parties, except in the following limited circumstances:

• When required by law, court order, or government regulation
• To complete a donation or transaction through a trusted payment processor
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of the Church or others

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.

7. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be effective upon posting to this page.

8. Contact Information

St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
3425 Refugee Rd
Columbus, OH 43232
United States

Phone: (614) 537-8072
Email: st.michaeleotccolumbus@gmail.com