St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Privacy Policy & SMS Terms of Service
Last updated: March 2026
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, how it may be shared, and the terms governing our SMS text message communications.
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We do not sell, rent, or share information about our members’ personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes, and SMS consent is not shared with third parties.
Information We May Collect:
We may collect the following types of personal information when you interact with us online or in person:
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Contact information, such as name, mailing address, email address, and phone number.
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Communication preferences, including whether you choose to receive email or SMS text messages from us.
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Information you provide in forms, registrations, prayer requests, facility-use requests, or other communications with St. Matthew’s.
How We Use Personal Information:
We use personal information to:
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Communicate with you about worship services, ministries, programs, events, volunteer opportunities, and facility use.
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Send administrative messages such as schedule changes, cancellations, and emergency or time-sensitive notices (including via SMS).
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Manage records related to membership, giving, facility reservations, groups, and other church and diocesan activities.
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Maintain, improve, and secure our website and communication systems.
We do not sell your personal information or use it for any third-party advertising.
SMS Communications - Terms of Service:
SMS Consent & Privacy
Phone numbers obtained as part of the SMS consent process will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. SMS consent is not required as a condition of attending St. Matthew’s or participating in any of our ministries.
Types of SMS Communications:
If you have consented to receive text messages from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, you may receive messages related to the following:
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Time-sensitive updates about worship services, ministries, or events.
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Building and facility notifications, including schedule changes.
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Appointment reminders or follow-up messages.
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Internal, work-related coordination with employees and key volunteers.
Example: “Hello, this is a friendly reminder of your upcoming meeting with St. Matthew’s staff at [Location] on [Date] at [Time]. Reply STOP to opt out of SMS messaging from St. Matthew’s at any time.”
Message Frequency:
Message frequency may vary depending on the type of communication. You may receive up to 2 SMS messages per week regarding meetings, ministry updates, or account/facility status.
Potential Fees for SMS Messaging:
Standard message and data rates may apply, depending on your carrier’s pricing plan. These fees may vary if the message is sent domestically or internationally.
How You Opt In to SMS:
You may opt in to receive SMS messages from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church verbally, during a conversation with a staff member. When consent is obtained verbally, you will be asked:
“Do you agree to receive text messages (between employees and/or external communications) from St. Matthew’s? Reply STOP to opt out; Reply HELP for support; Message & data rates may apply; Messaging frequency may vary. Visit https://www.stmatthewsevanston.org/privacy to see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.”
If you do not wish to receive SMS messages, you may simply decline when asked or choose not to provide your mobile number for this purpose.
How to Opt Out of SMS:
You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by:
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Replying “STOP” to any SMS message you receive from St. Matthew’s.
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Contacting the church office directly to request removal from our messaging list.
Getting Help:
If you are experiencing any issues with our SMS communications, you can reply “HELP” to any message or contact us directly using the information at the bottom of this policy.
Standard Messaging Disclosures:
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Message and data rates may apply.
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You can opt out at any time by texting “STOP.”
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For assistance, text “HELP” or visit our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service page at https://www.stmatthewsevanston.org/privacy.
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Message frequency may vary.
When We Share Personal Information:
We limit sharing of personal information to only situations where it is necessary to support our ministry and operations, including:
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With trusted service providers and vendors who perform services on our behalf (for example, website hosting, email or SMS delivery, or church management software), under obligations to protect your information and use it only for our purposes.
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When required by law, legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of St. Matthew’s, our parishioners, or others in our community.
We do not sell, rent, or otherwise disclose our members’ personal information to third parties for their own marketing or fundraising.
Your Choices:
You may:
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Opt out of SMS messages by replying STOP or by contacting us.
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Opt out of non-essential email communications by using the unsubscribe link (where available) or contacting us.
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Request updates or corrections to your contact information through the church office.
Data Security and Retention:
We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, recognizing that no system can be completely secure. We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy or as required by law.
Children’s Information:
Our ministries serve children and youth, but our website and online forms are intended for use by adults. If you believe a child has provided personal information online without appropriate consent, please contact us so we can address the situation.
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Changes to This Privacy Policy:
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of the policy will reflect the most recent changes. Continued use of our website or participation in our communications after changes are posted indicates your acceptance of the updated Policy.
Contact Us:
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
+1 (847) 869-4850
2120 Lincoln Street
Evanston, Illinois 60201