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Privacy Policy

Abide Shire Church (‘church’, 'we', 'us', or 'our') is committed to protecting your privacy and managing your personal information with care, transparency, and integrity.
 

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you interact with our church community, visit our website, attend our services or events, or use any of our digital tools and services.
 

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer at info@abideshirechurch.com.au.

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1. WHAT INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

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We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you fill out a connect card, register for an event, make a donation, join a small group or team, apply for a staff/volunteer role, or contact us.

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Personal Information You Provide

 

Depending on how you engage with us, this may include:

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  • Contact Details: Full name, phone number, email address, postal address.

  • Demographics: Age, gender, family/household details.

  • Church Engagement: Attendance records, small group involvement, volunteer history, and serving preferences.

  • Financial Details: Payment or bank account details (processed securely for donations, event registrations, or resource purchases).

  • Media: Photos or video recordings captured during services, gatherings, or church events.

 

Sensitive Information

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Under Australian privacy law, certain types of data are classified as sensitive. We only collect sensitive information with your consent, or where required/permitted by law:

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  • Religious Beliefs: Inferred through your membership or engagement with church activities.

  • Health & Medical Information: Dietary requirements, medical conditions, or emergency contact details provided for camps, youth/children’s ministries, or pastoral care.

  • Working with Children Checks: Background checks and safeguarding documentation for volunteers and staff.

 

Information Collected Automatically

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When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain technical information via cookies and analytics tools, including:

  • IP address, browser type, operating system, and device details.

  • Website activity, such as pages viewed, links clicked, and time spent on the site.

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2. HOW DO WE USE YOUR INFORMATION?

 

We process your information for legitimate church activities and administration, including to:

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  • Facilitate Community & Care: Provide pastoral care, process prayer requests, organize small groups, and communicate church news.

  • Manage Events & Services: Process registrations, coordinate volunteers, manage check-ins, and deliver church services.

  • Process Financial Transactions: Process tithes, offerings, donations, and event payments securely.

  • Safeguarding & Compliance: Fulfill our legal obligations regarding Child Safety, Work Health & Safety (WHS), and risk management.

  • Improve Our Communication: Send administrative updates, church newsletters, and event announcements (you can opt out of promotional emails at any time).

  • Website Analytics: Ensure our site operates securely and efficiently.

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3. WHEN AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION?

 

We respect your trust and never sell your personal information. We only share your data in the following circumstances:

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  • Trusted Service Providers: We use reputable third-party software and vendors to assist with church administration (e.g., Elvanto/Church Community Builder, Mailchimp, Stripe, Xero, and website hosting). These providers are bound by strict confidentiality and security obligations.

  • Church Leaders & Pastoral Staff: Key leaders and staff may access relevant contact information solely to provide pastoral care or manage specific ministries you are involved in.

  • Legal & Safeguarding Requirements: Where required by law, court order, or police request, or to protect the safety, rights, or property of individuals (e.g., child protection reporting).

 

4. MEDIA, LIVE STREAMING, AND PHOTOGRAPHY

 

To share our community and gospel message, Abide Shire Church regularly films, live streams, and photographs public church services, gatherings, and events.

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  • Public Services: Photos or videos featuring congregation members may be used on our website, social media channels, or print materials.

  • Children & Youth: We exercise special care with minors. Specific consent is requested before publishing identifiable images of children where reasonable.

  • Opting Out: If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify our media/welcoming team at a service, or sit in designated non-filming areas where available.

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5. DATA STORAGE, INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS, AND SECURITY

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  • Storage Location: Our primary records are stored securely in Australia. Some of our third-party cloud tools (e.g., database platforms or email software) host data on servers located overseas (such as the United States).

  • Security Measures: We implement physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your personal information against loss, unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification.

  • Data Retention: We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law (e.g., financial and child safety retention requirements).

 

6. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS AND CHOICES

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Under the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), you have the right to:

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  • Access Your Information: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

  • Correct Your Information: Request that we update or correct inaccurate or out-of-date details.

  • Opt Out of Communications: Unsubscribe from church emails or marketing communications at any time by using the "unsubscribe" link or contacting us directly. (Note: You may still receive essential operational or administrative communications).

  • Manage Cookies: Adjust your web browser settings to reject or delete cookies.

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7. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

 

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes. Updated versions will be published on our website with a revised effective date.

 

8. HOW TO CONTACT US OR MAKE A COMPLAINT

 

If you wish to access or update your information, or if you have a privacy complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer:

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Privacy Officer

Abide Shire Church

Email: info@abideshirechurch.com.au

Address: 63 Parraweena Rd, Caringbah NSW 2229

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If you are not satisfied with our response to a privacy complaint, you have the right to contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at www.oaic.gov.au or by calling 1300 363 992.

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