PRIVACY POLICY

Effective date: June 2026

Salt + Light Church (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit our website at saltandlightbend.org, subscribe to our email list, listen to the Jesus Hates Religion podcast, RSVP to events, or otherwise interact with us online.

Please read this policy carefully. By using our website, you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in two ways:

Information you provide directly

  • Name and email address when you subscribe to our email list or podcast updates

  • Name and contact details when you fill out a Connect or RSVP form

  • Any information you voluntarily share when you reach out to us directly

Information collected automatically

  • Basic analytics data such as pages visited, time on site, and general location (city/region level) via Google Analytics

  • Browser type and device information

  • Cookies used to improve site functionality and measure ad performance (see Section 5)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Send email updates, event information, and podcast notifications you have opted into

  • Respond to your questions and connect you with our community

  • Understand how our website is being used so we can improve it

  • Measure the effectiveness of our Google Ad Grant campaigns

  • Fulfill our mission of helping people in Bend, Oregon discover and follow Jesus

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

3. Email Communications

If you subscribe to our email list, you will receive updates related to Salt + Light Church, the Jesus Hates Religion podcast, and events in Bend. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email we send, or by contacting us directly at the address below.

We use a third-party email service provider to send communications. Your email address is stored securely within that platform and is not shared beyond what is necessary to deliver your emails.

4. Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. Google Analytics collects anonymized data including pages viewed, session duration, and general geographic location. This data helps us improve our content and better serve our community.

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on, available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

5. Cookies

Our website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your browsing experience and measure site performance. Cookies we use include:

  • Essential cookies: Required for the website to function properly

  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use the site (via Google Analytics)

  • Ad performance cookies: Used to measure the effectiveness of our Google Ad Grant campaigns

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect some functionality of the site.

6. Google Ad Grant

Salt + Light Church participates in the Google Ad Grants program, which provides free Google Search advertising to eligible nonprofit organizations. Our ads direct users to pages on saltandlightbend.org. We do not collect payment information through our website, and our ads are entirely nonprofit and mission-driven in nature.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has submitted personal information to us, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Instagram. These platforms have their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.

9. Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your information. Our website uses HTTPS encryption to secure data transmitted between your browser and our site. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you

  • Ask us to correct or update your information

  • Request that we delete your information

  • Opt out of email communications at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:

Salt + Light Church

Bend, Oregon

Email: jody@saltandlightbend.org