Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ (“Pilgrim,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect on pilgrimalive.org (the “Site”), how we use it, and the choices you have.

If you have questions, please contact us at info@pilgrimalive.org or (216) 861-7388, or by mail at 2592 W. 14th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113. 

1. What this policy covers

This policy applies to information collected through our Site, including:

• Basic pages with text, images, and videos
• Embedded livestreams/recordings of worship
• Online forms (e.g., livestream attendance, newsletter subscriptions, contact, event inquiries) 

This policy does not cover information collected offline (for example, in-person sign-in sheets) or via third-party services we link or embed (see “Third-party services and embeds”).

2. Information we collect

a. Information you choose to provide

We collect information you submit via Site forms, such as:

• Contact forms: your name, email, and message. 
• Livestream attendance forms: your name and/or basic attendance details, if you choose to share them. 
• Newsletter sign-ups: your name and email to send updates you request. 
• Event/facility inquiries (e.g., weddings, building use): contact details plus event information you provide. 

b. Information collected automatically

When you use the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect:

• Device and browser information
• IP address and general location (approximate)
• Pages viewed and referring pages/links
• Date/time of visits and engagement with content (e.g., media plays)

We collect this via cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to operate the Site, keep it secure, understand usage, and improve content. See “Cookies & similar technologies.”

3. How we use your information

We use your information to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Site and its content (including worship livestreams and recordings) 
• Respond to your requests and messages
• Send newsletters and updates you ask to receive (you can unsubscribe anytime)
• Support pastoral care, community engagement, attendance tracking, and ministry planning
• Administer events and facility use inquiries
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues or misuse
• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

4. Our legal bases for processing (EEA/UK visitors)

Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, we rely on one or more of the following legal bases: consent (e.g., for newsletters), performance of a contract (responding to your requests), legitimate interests (operating and securing our Site, understanding use to improve it), and compliance with legal obligations.

5. When we share information

We share information only as needed with:

• Service providers (e.g., website hosting, email/newsletter services, analytics, form processing) who process data on our behalf under contractual confidentiality and security obligations.
• Legal and safety: if required by law or to protect Pilgrim, our congregants, visitors, or the public.

If you donate online through a linked third-party processor, that processor will handle your payment information under its own privacy policy. (For example, our Food Pantry page links to an online donation option.) 

6. Third-party services and embeds

Our Site may include links to or embeds from third-party platforms (for example, YouTube or similar services for livestreams/recordings, and social media). Those providers may collect information in line with their own privacy policies when you view or interact with their content. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external services you use. (See our livestream pages and news posts referencing livestreams.) 

7. Cookies & similar technologies

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to:

• Keep the Site functioning and secure
• Remember preferences
• Measure and improve Site performance and understand which content is most helpful

Your choices:

• Browser controls: Most browsers let you block or delete cookies.
• Do Not Track/Global Privacy Control: We honor legally required signals where applicable.
• Analytics opt-outs: If we use third-party analytics, you may be able to opt out via that provider’s tools (see their policies).

Note: Blocking cookies may affect Site functionality, including video playback or embedded content.

8. Email communications

If you sign up for our newsletter, we’ll send updates and news. You can unsubscribe anytime using the link in the email or by contacting us. We may also send necessary administrative messages (e.g., responses to your inquiries). 

9. Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described above, including to:

• Respond to your requests and manage subscriptions (deleted when you unsubscribe)
• Support pastoral care and ministry planning (retained for a reasonable period)
• Meet legal, accounting, or reporting requirements

We periodically review data and either delete or anonymize it when no longer needed.

10. Children’s privacy

Our ministries serve people of all ages. Online, we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without appropriate parental consent. If you believe a child provided us personal information without consent, please contact us so we can delete it.

11. Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:

• Access and receive a copy of your personal information
• Correct or delete your information
• Object to or restrict certain processing
• Withdraw consent (for example, unsubscribe from emails)
• Appeal a denial of your request (in some jurisdictions)

To exercise rights, email info@pilgrimalive.org. We may need to verify your identity and will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law. If you are a California resident, you may also have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (as amended) including the right to know, correct, and delete, and the right to opt out of “selling” or “sharing” (we do not sell or share your data for cross-context behavioral advertising).

12. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; please use care when sending information online.

13. International visitors

If you access the Site from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the U.S. and other countries with privacy laws that may differ from those where you live. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for international transfers.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Effective date” at the top shows when it was last revised. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page.

15. How to contact us

Email: info@pilgrimalive.org
Phone: (216) 861-7388
Mail: Pilgrim Congregational UCC, 2592 W. 14th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113