Privacy Policy

Last Updated: July 2026

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) ("Christ Church Newark," "The Sanctuary USA," "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, protect, and share information when you visit our website, submit a form, register for an event, make a donation, join our mailing list, opt in to receive text messages, participate in church programs, or otherwise communicate with us.

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) is a non-profit religious organization located in Newark, New Jersey.

By using our website, submitting information to us, or opting in to receive communications from us, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not use our website or submit personal information to us.

 

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information and non-personal information from you when you interact with Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA).

Personal Information

"Personal Information" means information that can identify you or be used to contact you. This may include:

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Mobile phone number

• Mailing address

• Event registration information

• Volunteer interest information

• Donation or payment information

• Prayer request information

• Ministry participation information

• Communication preferences

• Any other information you choose to provide to us

Non-Personal Information

"Non-Personal Information" means information that does not directly identify you. This may include:

• Browser type

• Device type

• IP address

• Pages visited

• Website usage information

• General location information

• Date and time of website visits

• Referring website or search information

 

2. How We Collect Information

We may collect information in the following ways:

Directly From You

We collect information when you voluntarily provide it to us, including when you:

• Fill out a contact form

• Submit a prayer request

• Register for a worship service, event, class, or ministry program

• Sign up for email updates

• Opt in to receive text messages

• Make a donation

• Volunteer for a ministry or outreach activity

• Contact us by phone, email, website form, or text message

• Provide information in person at a church service, event, or program

Automatically Through Our Website

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain non-personal information through cookies, analytics tools, pixels, server logs, and similar technologies. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website and improve the website experience.

From Service Providers

We may receive information from trusted service providers who help us operate our website, process donations, manage communications, host events, or support ministry operations.

 

3. How We Use Your Information

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) may use your information for the following purposes:

• To communicate with you

• To respond to your questions, requests, or prayer needs

• To send church updates, ministry announcements, and event reminders

• To provide worship service information

• To register you for events, programs, classes, or ministry activities

• To coordinate volunteers and outreach programs

• To process donations, payments, or event registrations

• To provide receipts, confirmations, and administrative notices

• To manage church membership, participation, or ministry records

• To send email, phone, mail, or SMS communications based on your preferences and consent

• To improve our website, communications, and ministry services

• To protect the safety, security, and integrity of our website, church operations, and community

• To comply with legal obligations

• To prevent fraud, misuse, unauthorized access, or other improper activity

We may also use aggregated or non-personal information to understand website traffic, improve our communications, and better serve our congregation and community.

 

4. SMS and Text Messaging Privacy

This section applies to SMS and text messages sent by or on behalf of Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA).

SMS Program

If you opt in to receive text messages from Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA), you may receive recurring messages related to church services, worship updates, ministry announcements, event reminders, volunteer opportunities, prayer and community updates, donation opportunities, outreach programs, and other church-related communications.

SMS Consent

You may provide SMS consent by submitting an online form, checking an SMS consent box, signing up at an event, providing your mobile number to church staff, texting a keyword to our number, or otherwise giving us permission to send text messages.

Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of making a donation, attending worship services, participating in church activities, or receiving ministry support.

SMS Opt-Out

You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any text message from us. After you reply STOP, we may send you a confirmation message that you have been unsubscribed. After that, you will no longer receive SMS messages from us unless you opt in again.

SMS Help

For help, reply HELP to any text message from us. You may also contact us directly:

Email: info@thesanctuaryusa.org
Phone: 844.458.2757

Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary based on your relationship with the church, the programs you participate in, and upcoming church events or ministry activities. Please contact your wireless provider with questions about your text or data plan.

No Sharing or Selling of SMS Information

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) does not sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number, SMS opt-in data, or SMS consent with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.

All categories of information described in this Privacy Policy exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent. Text messaging opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties, except as necessary with service providers who support the delivery of our text messaging services and who are required to protect the information.

 

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share personal information only in limited circumstances, including:

With Service Providers

We may share information with trusted vendors and service providers who help us operate our website, manage communications, process donations, host events, provide technology services, or support church operations.

These service providers are only permitted to use information as necessary to provide services to us and are expected to protect your information.

For Legal or Safety Reasons

We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or government request

• Protect the rights, safety, and property of Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA)

• Protect the safety of members, visitors, volunteers, staff, or the public

• Prevent fraud, abuse, security threats, or illegal activity

• Enforce our Terms of Service or other church policies

With Your Consent

We may share information when you give us permission to do so.

Important SMS Sharing Restriction

Even when we share information with service providers as described above, we do not share mobile phone numbers, SMS opt-in data, or SMS consent with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.

 

6. Donations and Payment Information

If you make a donation, event payment, or other contribution, your payment may be processed by a third-party payment processor. We may receive limited information related to the transaction, such as your name, contact information, donation amount, payment date, and receipt information.

We do not store full credit card numbers on our church systems unless specifically stated by the payment processor. Payment processing is subject to the privacy policy and terms of the applicable payment provider.

 

7. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies, pixels, analytics tools, and similar technologies to help us understand website activity and improve the user experience.

These technologies may help us:

• Understand which pages are visited

• Improve website functionality

• Measure communication effectiveness

• Diagnose technical issues

• Improve church outreach and online resources

You may be able to disable cookies through your browser settings. However, some parts of the website may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

 

8. Email Communications

If you subscribe to our email list or provide your email address, we may send you church updates, ministry announcements, event reminders, newsletters, donation opportunities, volunteer opportunities, or other church-related communications.

You may unsubscribe from email communications by using the unsubscribe link included in our emails, where available, or by contacting us directly at info@thesanctuaryusa.org.

 

9. Prayer Requests and Sensitive Information

You may choose to submit prayer requests or other personal information to Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA). We treat prayer requests and sensitive communications with care.

We may use prayer requests to provide pastoral care, ministry support, or prayer support. We will not publicly share private prayer requests or sensitive personal information without permission, except where required by law or where necessary to protect safety.

Please do not submit information through our website or text messaging program that you do not want us to receive or review.

 

10. Photos, Videos, and Media

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) may take photos or videos during worship services, events, ministry activities, and community programs. These materials may be used for church communications, newsletters, social media, website content, promotional materials, or historical records.

If you do not want your image used, please contact us at info@thesanctuaryusa.org. We will make reasonable efforts to honor your request.

Additional permissions may be required for minors.

 

11. Children’s Privacy

Our website and online services are not intended to collect personal information directly from children under the age of 13 without appropriate parent or guardian consent.

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) may collect information about children from parents or legal guardians for church programs, youth ministry, event registration, safety, and participation purposes.

If you believe a child has provided personal information to us without appropriate permission, please contact us at info@thesanctuaryusa.org, and we will take reasonable steps to review and address the matter.

 

12. How We Protect Your Information

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

However, no website, communication method, database, or system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. You use our website and communications at your own risk.

If you believe your interaction with us is no longer secure, please contact us immediately at info@thesanctuaryusa.org.

 

13. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including ministry operations, communication, donation records, legal compliance, accounting, dispute resolution, safety, and recordkeeping.

We may retain certain information for longer periods when required or permitted by law.

 

14. Your Choices and Rights

Depending on where you live and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we have about you

• Request correction of inaccurate information

• Request deletion of certain information

• Opt out of certain communications

• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

• Ask questions about how your information is used

To make a request, contact us at info@thesanctuaryusa.org.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

 

15. Your Communication Choices

You may manage your communication preferences as follows:

Email

You may unsubscribe from email communications by using the unsubscribe link in our emails, where available, or by contacting us at info@thesanctuaryusa.org.

SMS/Text Messages

You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP. For help, reply HELP or contact us at info@thesanctuaryusa.org or 844.458.2757.

Phone or Mail

You may contact us directly to request changes to your phone or mailing communication preferences.

 

16. Links to Other Websites

Our website or communications may contain links to third-party websites, platforms, payment processors, social media pages, video platforms, event platforms, or other online services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, terms, or security of third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

 

17. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" feature. At this time, our website may not respond to Do Not Track signals.

 

18. State Privacy Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have additional privacy rights under applicable state privacy laws. These rights may include access, correction, deletion, portability, and the right to opt out of certain uses of personal information.

To exercise any applicable rights, please contact us at info@thesanctuaryusa.org.

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) does not sell personal information and does not sell or share mobile phone numbers, SMS opt-in data, or SMS consent for third-party or affiliate marketing or promotional purposes.

 

19. International Visitors

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA) is located in Newark, New Jersey, United States. If you access our website or provide information from outside the United States, you understand that your information may be processed and stored in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your location.

 

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we update this Privacy Policy, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

Your continued use of our website, services, or communications after updates are posted means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.

 

21. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, our communications, or our SMS program, please contact us:

Christ Church Newark (DBA The Sanctuary USA)
Newark, New Jersey
Email: info@thesanctuaryusa.org
Phone: 844.458.2757
Website: www.thesanctuaryusa.org