Privacy and text messaging policy

What we receive

Information you choose to share with Wayside

We may receive your name, email address, telephone number, household or ministry connection, communication preferences, and the content of messages you send us. This can happen when you contact the church, subscribe through a linked form, register for a ministry activity, give through an external provider, or expressly consent to receive text messages.

Providing a telephone number by itself does not enroll you in recurring text messages. SMS consent must be clear, specific, and recorded for the number that will receive messages.

Why we use it

Church communication, care, and responsible administration

Wayside uses information to respond to questions, share church and ministry updates you requested, coordinate gatherings or volunteer service, provide pastoral follow-up, maintain communication preferences, document consent, prevent unwanted messages, and protect the security and integrity of our systems.

We do not sell personal information. We do not use mobile information or SMS consent records for third-party advertising.

SMS terms and conditions

Wayside Church Text Messages

Wayside Church Text Messages is an optional, recurring text messaging program from Wayside Church, 6 Haggerty Rd, Charlton, MA 01507. The program may use SMS, MMS, or successor messaging technologies to communicate with people who have expressly chosen to receive messages.

The current verified number for this Wayside Church program is (877) 826-0218. If Wayside introduces another messaging number or program, its opt-in invitation will identify the sender, program, and number before consent is requested.

Participation is voluntary. Consent to receive texts is not a condition of attending Wayside Church, giving, receiving ministry care, or participating in church life.

How consent works

You may opt in by completing a form with a clear SMS consent statement, providing documented written consent, or sending START to (877) 826-0218. Your consent applies only to the Wayside Church sender and messaging program described when you opt in. It does not transfer to another church, organization, or unrelated program.

If your primary mobile number changes, Wayside requires consent to be recorded again for the new number. If you previously opted out, a new opt-in is accepted only after you renew your consent.

Message frequency and costs

Message frequency varies based on the updates and ministry conversations you choose to receive. Message and data rates may apply. Wayside Church does not charge you for sending or receiving these messages, but your wireless carrier may charge according to your mobile plan.

Types of messages

• Sunday gathering, event, and schedule updates
• Ministry and discipleship reminders
• Volunteer coordination and church announcements
• Responses to questions and pastoral-care follow-up
• Occasional giving and ministry-support opportunities

Delivery and support

Wayside uses Azure Communication Services and telecommunications carriers to transmit messages. Delivery may be delayed or unavailable because of carrier coverage, device settings, network conditions, provider maintenance, or other circumstances outside our control.

Text messaging is not an emergency service and should not be used for urgent safety, medical, mental-health, or pastoral emergencies. Call 911 when immediate emergency assistance is needed.

Reply HELP for help or call (508) 434-0401. Reply STOP to opt out at any time. We also honor reasonable opt-out requests made by telephone or in direct conversation with a Wayside representative.

Limited sharing

Service providers and legal obligations

Wayside may use trusted providers for website hosting, forms, email, online giving, and communications. These providers process information under their own service terms and privacy commitments. When you follow an external link, such as the newsletter or giving link, that provider's privacy policy also applies.

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to a lawful request, protect a person from harm, investigate abuse, or protect the rights and security of Wayside Church and others.

Stewardship

Retention and security

We keep personal information only as long as reasonably needed for the purpose for which it was collected, church administration, legal obligations, dispute resolution, and security. SMS consent and opt-out records may be retained for at least four years so we can document authorization and continue honoring your choices.

We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards, but no website, mobile network, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed completely secure. Please do not send highly sensitive or emergency information by text message.

Your choices

Access, correction, deletion, and communication preferences

You may contact Wayside to ask what information we have about you, request a correction or deletion, or change your communication preferences. We may retain limited records when needed to document consent, honor an opt-out, meet legal obligations, or protect the service.

We do not knowingly enroll children under 13 in text messaging without the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Questions

Contact Wayside Church

We may update this policy as our communication practices or legal obligations change. The date at the top identifies the latest published version.