Privacy Policy

Last updated 16 August 2026

This policy covers the online appointment scheduling tool used by a local congregation to let members book a short annual appointment with their clergy leader. It is operated by a volunteer and is not an official product of any church organization.

What is collected

Only what is needed to hold an appointment and tell you about it:

• A household name, as you type it.
• An email address.
• A mobile number, only if you provide one and tick the consent box.
• The appointment time you selected.

No account is created, no password is stored, and nothing is collected about you from any other source.

How mobile numbers are used

A mobile number is used for one thing: sending you text messages about the appointment you booked. Providing one is optional. If you leave it blank, or do not tick the consent box, you receive email only and are never texted.

Message frequency. You will receive a confirmation, up to 3 reminders before the appointment, and a notice each time it is changed or cancelled. For most people that is 4 messages in total.

Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile plan. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel at any time. Replying STOP ends all text messages immediately.

How email is used

Your email address receives a booking confirmation, reminders, and a notice if the appointment changes. Every message includes a link you can use to view, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. Nothing promotional is ever sent.

Who can see your information

The public booking page shows only which times are open. It never shows who has booked, and a taken time and a closed time look identical to anyone viewing the page. No other member can see your name, email, phone number, or appointment.

Two people can see appointments: the congregation's clerk who administers the schedule, and the clergy leader you are meeting with, who receives the day's appointment list by email.

Service providers

The tool runs on infrastructure operated by others, who process data only in order to deliver the service and not for their own purposes:

• Hosting and database providers, which store the booking record.
• An email delivery provider, which sends the messages.
• A messaging provider, which sends the text messages.

Passing a number to the messaging provider so it can deliver your text is not sharing it with a third party for marketing, and no provider is permitted to use it for their own purposes.

How long it is kept

Booking records are deleted after the scheduling season ends. Nothing is retained for longer than the season it belongs to.

Your choices

• Reply STOP to any text message to stop receiving texts.
• Use the link in any email to cancel your appointment, which removes it.
• Ask the clerk to delete your information at any time.

Children

Appointments are booked by adults on behalf of a household. The tool is not directed at children and does not knowingly collect their information.

Contact

Questions about this policy go to the congregation's clerk, who administers the scheduling tool.