Cookie Policy
Last updated: February 17, 2026
1. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. Cookies are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide information to the website owners.
Cookies allow a website to recognize your device and store some information about your preferences or past actions. This helps us provide you with a better experience when you browse our website and also allows us to improve our services.
2. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for the following purposes:
2.1 Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. These cookies cannot be disabled.
Examples include:
- Authentication cookies to keep you logged in
- Session cookies to maintain your session state
- Security cookies to protect against fraud
2.2 Functionality Cookies
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your username, language, or region) and provide enhanced, personalized features.
Examples include:
- Theme preferences (light/dark mode)
- Language preferences
- User interface preferences
2.3 Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This helps us improve the way our website works.
Examples include:
- Page views and navigation patterns
- Time spent on pages
- Error messages and performance issues
3. Types of Cookies We Use
3.1 Session Cookies
Session cookies are temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They are used to maintain your session while you navigate through the website.
3.2 Persistent Cookies
Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. They are used to remember your preferences and actions across multiple visits to our website.
3.3 First-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by our website domain. These cookies are used to provide core functionality and improve your experience on our site.
3.4 Third-Party Cookies
Third-party cookies are set by domains other than ours. We may use third-party services (such as analytics providers) that set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies, and you should check the third-party's privacy policy for more information.
4. Specific Cookies We Use
The following is a list of cookies we may use on our website:
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| auth_token | Maintains your authentication session | Essential | Session |
| theme | Stores your theme preference (light/dark) | Functionality | 1 year |
| user_preferences | Stores your UI preferences | Functionality | 1 year |
5. Managing Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. You can exercise your cookie rights by setting your preferences in your browser settings.
5.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. However, limiting cookies may impact your ability to use our website. Here are links to cookie settings for popular browsers:
5.2 Opting Out
If you choose to disable cookies, some features of our website may not function properly. Essential cookies cannot be disabled as they are necessary for the website to function.
6. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) feature that signals to websites you visit that you do not want to have your online activity tracked. Currently, there is no standard for how DNT signals should be interpreted. Our website does not currently respond to DNT signals.
7. Third-Party Cookies
In addition to our own cookies, we may also use various third-party cookies to report usage statistics of the website and deliver advertisements on and through the website. These third parties may use cookies to collect information about your online activities across different websites.
We do not control these third-party cookies. You should review the privacy policies of these third parties to understand how they use cookies.
8. Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our data practices. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Cookie Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about our use of cookies.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please contact us at:
Columbia First SDA Church
243 Riverchase Way, Lexington, SC
Phone: 803-791-1135
Email: info@columbiafirst.org