Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 17, 2026
Last Updated: May 17, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how the Midwest Episcopal District AME Zion Church (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Church”) collects, uses, and protects personal information when you participate in our SMS text message communication program through refresh2026.midwestamez.org.

1. What information we collect

We collect only the information necessary to send you informational text messages about church activities:

• First and last name
• Mobile phone number (required to send SMS)
• Email address (optional, used as backup communication channel)
• Congregation affiliation (optional, for targeted communication)
• Group memberships (e.g., Stewards, Choir, Youth)
• Consent records (date, source, and language of your opt-in or opt-out)

We do NOT collect: date of birth, Social Security or other government-issued ID numbers, financial or payment information, location data, browsing history, or any other category of personal data beyond what is listed above.

2. How we use your information

Your information is used solely to:

• Send informational SMS messages about church services, events, and activities
• Maintain accurate records of your communication preferences
• Comply with federal law under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)
• Respond to your direct inquiries

We do not use your information for marketing, advertising, profiling, or any commercial purpose.

3. Who has access to your information

Access is strictly limited to:

• Church leadership and designated administrators authorized to use the messaging system
• Technology In Ministry LLC, a third-party software vendor that operates the messaging platform on the Church's behalf under contractual agreement, processing member data solely to deliver Church communications
• Azure Communication Services (Microsoft), our SMS delivery provider
• Mobile carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and their resellers) as part of standard SMS routing

Technology In Ministry LLC is contractually prohibited from using member data for any purpose other than delivering Church communications, and is bound by the same confidentiality obligations as the Church itself.

We do not sell, rent, lease, share, transfer, or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party for marketing or any other commercial purpose.

4. Data retention

• Active member records are retained while you remain an opted-in recipient
• Opt-out records (entries in our consent log) are retained indefinitely for regulatory compliance under TCPA
• If you request complete removal, we will delete your active member record but retain the consent log entry as proof of compliance with opt-out laws

5. Your rights

You have the right to:

• Opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message — we will stop sending you texts immediately and permanently
• Request a copy of the data we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data, subject to the retention exception above
• Withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the address in §9 below.

6. Security

Your information is stored in Microsoft Azure (Azure SQL Database and Azure Storage), which provides industry-standard encryption in transit and at rest. Access is restricted via Microsoft Entra identity and managed by authorized administrators only. We do not store passwords or financial information related to this SMS service.

7. Children's privacy

This SMS service is intended primarily for adults aged 18 and older. Minors may be enrolled only with the express written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and only to receive age-appropriate church youth communications. We do not knowingly collect information from minors without verifiable parental consent.

8. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our practices change or as required by law. The “Last Updated” date at the top will reflect the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated to active recipients via SMS or email.

9. Contact us