These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the By Living Waters Ministry School website and your registration for courses and other learning opportunities offered through the website.
By Living Waters Ministry School is an initiative of Martin Luther University College, developed in partnership with the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. By accessing or using this website, you agree to comply with the terms applicable to website use. Additional terms relating to course registration, payment, cancellation, and participation apply when you register for a course or purchase a service.
Before completing a paid registration, you will have an opportunity to review the applicable course information, fees, and terms, and to accept or decline the purchase.
A course registration agreement is formed when your registration is accepted and confirmation is sent to the email address provided during registration. If you do not agree with these Terms and Conditions, please discontinue use of the website or refrain from completing a course registration, as applicable.
In these Terms and Conditions, the following terms have the meanings set out below:
“Account” means the individual user account created to register for courses, access learning materials, and participate in learning activities.
“Content” means any and all text, graphics, images, audio, video, documents, course materials, or other information made available through, displayed on, or otherwise provided in relation to the Website or any Course administered by BLW.
“Course” or “Courses” means the non-credit educational offering, module, class, seminar, workshop, lecture, conference, presentation, or other educational activity provided through By Living Waters Ministry School, including associated learning activities and materials, whether offered in person, online, by correspondence or by any other means.
“Payment Information” means information required to process payment for a Course or other paid offering through an authorized payment service provider.
“Services” means the courses, educational resources, learning activities, and related services offered by By Living Waters Ministry School through the Website.
“User” or “Participant” means any individual who accesses the Website, creates an Account, registers for a Course, or participates in the Services.
“Website” means the By Living Waters Ministry School website located at https://bylivingwaters.learnworlds.com/ , including associated pages and the learning platform.
“By Living Waters” or “BLW” means By Living Waters Ministry School, an initiative of Martin Luther University College developed in partnership with the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
“We”, “Us”, and “Our” mean Martin Luther University College, operating By Living Waters Ministry School, subject to confirmation of the appropriate legal contracting entity.
The Website and its educational offerings are primarily intended for individuals aged 18 years or older. Individuals under the age of 18 must obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian before registering for a Course.
Any payment for a Participant under the age of 18 must be made or authorized by a parent or legal guardian. Additional eligibility requirements may apply to individual Courses and will be communicated before registration.
These Terms and Conditions also apply when a congregation, church, institution, or other organization registers or pays for a Course on behalf of a Participant.
The individual Participant remains responsible for complying with terms relating to course participation, account access, and appropriate use of learning materials.
Organizations arranging or funding registrations are responsible for ensuring that payment arrangements are authorized and that Participants receive necessary information related to course access and use.
- 4.1 Unless otherwise indicated, Content available through the Website, is owned by or licensed to Martin Luther University College, By Living Waters Ministry School, or relevant third-party rights holders, and is protected by applicable Canadian and international intellectual property laws.
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4.2 Participants may access, download, and use Course materials for their personal learning and for non-commercial educational and ministry-related purposes, where such use is permitted by the applicable Course instructions or material licences.
- 4.3 Course materials may not be reproduced, distributed, sold, modified, or made publicly available without permission, except where expressly permitted by the applicable licence or allowed under Canadian copyright law.
- 4.4 Participants retain ownership of original materials they create or submit as part of their learning activities, subject to any third-party rights. Submission of such materials does not transfer ownership to By Living Waters Ministry School.
- 5.1 Certain materials available through the Website or Courses, including text, images, videos, educational resources, and other Content, may be owned by third parties. Intellectual property rights in these materials remain with their respective owners.
- 5.2 Third-party materials may be subject to additional copyright restrictions, licensing agreements, or conditions of use. Users and Participants are responsible for respecting these conditions when accessing, downloading, reproducing, or sharing such materials.
- 5.3 Third-party materials may not be reproduced, distributed, modified, or made publicly available without appropriate permission, except where expressly permitted by the applicable licence or allowed under Canadian copyright law.
- 6.1 Materials available through the Website may be used without prior written permission where such use is permitted under the Copyright Act of Canada, including applicable fair dealing provisions and other statutory exceptions.
- 6.2 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to restrict rights or exceptions available to Users under applicable Canadian copyright law.
- 7.1 The Website and Courses may contain links to external websites, resources, or services operated by third parties. Unless otherwise indicated, these external sites are not owned or controlled by By Living Waters Ministry School or Martin Luther University College.
- 7.2 By Living Waters Ministry School is not responsible for the content, accuracy, availability, privacy practices, or security of external websites. Users are encouraged to review the applicable terms and privacy policies of any external websites they access.
- 7.3 The inclusion of a link to an external website does not necessarily indicate an endorsement of its content, services, or operator.
- 7.4 Nothing in this section excludes or limits any responsibility or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable law.
- 8.1 Individuals and organizations may link to the By Living Waters Ministry School Website, including its homepage and publicly accessible Course pages, without prior written permission.
- 8.2 Links must not misrepresent an affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from By Living Waters Ministry School or Martin Luther University College.
- 8.3 The use of By Living Waters Ministry School or Martin Luther University College logos, trademarks, or other protected branding requires appropriate authorization unless otherwise permitted by law.
- 8.4 For questions concerning linking to the Website or the use of its branding, please contact BLWMS@wlu.ca.
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9.1 The Website may provide communication features, including discussion forums, messaging, comments, and other interactive learning tools. Users and Participants are expected to use these features respectfully, responsibly, and in accordance with applicable laws.
- 9.2 When using the Website’s communication features, Users must not:
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9.2.1 Post or share content that is unlawful, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise harmful;
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9.2.2 Promote, encourage, or threaten violence against individuals or groups;
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9.2.3 Impersonate another individual or misrepresent their identity or affiliation with By Living Waters Ministry School, Martin Luther University College, or its partners;
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9.2.4 Share another person’s private or confidential information without appropriate authorization;
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9.2.5 Use the Website for unsolicited advertising, unauthorized commercial activities, spam, or other disruptive communications; or
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9.2.6 Upload or distribute malicious software, harmful links, or content intended to compromise the security or functionality of the Website.
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9.3 By Living Waters Ministry School encourages thoughtful discussion, respectful disagreement, and the sharing of diverse experiences and perspectives. Participants are expected to engage with others in ways that support a constructive and inclusive learning environment.
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9.4 Course instruction and administration will generally be conducted in English. Participants may contact By Living Waters Ministry School to discuss language-related accessibility needs or available accommodations.
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9.5 By Living Waters Ministry School may review reported violations of these rules and take reasonable action, including removing content, restricting communication privileges, or suspending access to an Account. Where appropriate, Participants will be informed of the concern and provided an opportunity to respond, subject to safety considerations and applicable institutional policies.
- 9.6 By Living Waters Ministry School may review communications and content shared through the Website where reasonably necessary to administer Courses, provide technical support, respond to reported concerns, maintain a respectful learning environment, or protect the security of the platform. Such review will be conducted in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and institutional policies.
- 9.7 Communications and content submitted through the Website may be stored and retained as necessary for Course administration, educational activities, recordkeeping, and other legitimate institutional purposes. The collection, use, retention, and disclosure of personal information will be governed by the applicable Privacy Policy and legal requirements.
- 9.8 Participants retain ownership of original content they submit through the Website, subject to any existing third-party rights. By submitting content as part of a Course, Participants grant By Living Waters Ministry School permission to access, store, display, and use that content as reasonably necessary to deliver and administer the Course, facilitate learning activities, and provide support. This permission does not authorize unrelated public or promotional use without additional appropriate consent.
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10.1 To register for Courses and access certain features of the Website, Users are required to create an Account. Account registration may require personal information, including name, email address, congregational or organizational affiliation, ministry role, and other information relevant to Course administration. Payment information required for paid registrations will be collected and processed through an authorized third-party payment provider. By creating an Account, Users confirm that the information they provide is accurate and that they are authorized to provide it.
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10.1.1 The information you provide when creating or updating your Account is accurate and truthful to the best of your knowledge;
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10.1.2 You are authorized to provide any Payment Information used to register for a Course, including where payment is made on behalf of another individual or organization; and
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10.1.3 You are responsible for keeping your Account information accurate and reasonably up to date.
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10.2 Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their Account credentials, including usernames and passwords, and for taking reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized access. Users should not share their login credentials and should sign out after accessing their Account on a shared or public device.
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10.3 If a User believes their Account has been accessed or used without authorization, they should notify By Living Waters Ministry School promptly at BLWMS@wlu.ca. By Living Waters Ministry School will take reasonable steps to investigate the concern, secure the Account, and assist with any unauthorized registration or payment activity. Refunds, payment disputes, and other remedies will be handled in accordance with applicable law and the relevant payment provider’s procedures.
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10.4 Users must select and maintain Account names and identifying information that comply with the standards of conduct outlined in Section 9. By Living Waters Ministry School may require changes to inappropriate or misleading Account information or take reasonable steps to restrict Account access where necessary.
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11.1 Users may request the closure of their Account by contacting By Living Waters Ministry School at BLWMS@wlu.ca. Account closure may affect access to registered Courses, learning materials, and other Services. Requests for account closure will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy, recordkeeping, and legal requirements.
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11.2 By Living Waters Ministry School may suspend or terminate an Account where reasonably necessary, including in cases of serious or repeated violations of these Terms and Conditions, unauthorized Account activity, or conduct that compromises the safety, security, or integrity of the Website or its learning environment.
- 11.3 Where reasonably practicable, Users will be notified of an Account suspension or termination and provided with an explanation. Immediate action may be taken where necessary to address security concerns, protect other Users, or prevent serious harm.
- 11.4 Account termination does not automatically cancel completed purchases or determine refund eligibility. Any outstanding payments, course registrations, refunds, or other obligations will be addressed in accordance with the applicable registration terms, institutional policies, and legal requirements.
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12.1 By Living Waters Ministry School makes reasonable efforts to ensure that Course descriptions, learning objectives, schedules, delivery formats, and fees published on the Website are accurate and up to date. Minor changes may occur as Courses are developed or delivered. Where a significant change affects a confirmed registration, Participants will be notified and informed of any applicable cancellation or refund options.
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12.2 Users are responsible for reviewing the details of their selected Course before completing registration, including its content, dates, delivery format, participation requirements, and fees. Any additional requirements or materials necessary for participation will be identified in the relevant Course information.
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12.3 Course registration is subject to availability. By Living Waters Ministry School may establish minimum or maximum enrolment requirements, registration deadlines, or other eligibility requirements for individual Courses. Registration is confirmed when the Participant receives confirmation of acceptance.
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12.4 Course fees are displayed in Canadian dollars (CAD) unless otherwise indicated. By Living Waters Ministry School may change published fees or promotional offers from time to time. Any applicable taxes and additional charges will be disclosed before a Participant completes payment.
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12.5 The price applicable to a Course registration will be the total price disclosed and accepted by the Participant at the time of purchase. Subsequent changes to published Course fees will not affect registrations already completed and confirmed.
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13.1 The price applicable to a Course registration will be the total price disclosed and accepted by the Participant at the time of purchase. Subsequent changes to published Course fees will not affect registrations already completed and confirmed.
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13.2 Registration confirmations will be sent to the email address provided during registration and will include the following information:
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13.2.1 Confirmation of the Course selected, including its title, description, and relevant details of the learning opportunity;
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13.2.2 An itemized summary of the Course fees paid, including any applicable taxes and additional charges;
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13.2.3 The scheduled dates, duration, and delivery format of the Course, including relevant information about accessing learning sessions; and
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13.2.4 Instructions for accessing the Participant’s LearnWorlds Account, Course materials, and other relevant learning resources.
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13.3 If By Living Waters Ministry School is unable to accept a Course registration, the Participant will be notified and any payment collected will be refunded in full to the original payment method as promptly as reasonably practicable and within any period required by applicable law. By Living Waters Ministry School will not be responsible for delays caused by the Participant’s financial institution after a refund has been initiated.
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13.4 Payment for Courses will be collected in Canadian dollars (CAD) through an authorized payment provider at the time of registration, unless alternative payment arrangements have been approved in advance by By Living Waters Ministry School. The total amount payable, including any applicable taxes and additional charges, will be disclosed before payment is completed. Course registrations are one-time purchases and do not involve recurring subscription fees unless expressly indicated and agreed to by the Participant.
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13.5 Following confirmation of registration, Participants will be provided with access to their selected Course through the Website, according to the Course’s published schedule and delivery format. By Living Waters Ministry School will make reasonable efforts to ensure that Course access and learning activities are available as described at the time of registration. Participants will be notified of any significant delays or changes affecting their registration, together with any applicable cancellation or refund options. Nothing in this clause limits Participants’ rights under applicable consumer protection legislation.
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13.6 By Living Waters Ministry School will make reasonable efforts to deliver its Courses and related educational services with appropriate care, professionalism, and educational quality, consistent with the learning objectives and Course descriptions provided at the time of registration.
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13.7 If a Participant experiences an error with Course registration, access to learning materials, or the educational services provided, they should contact By Living Waters Ministry School at BLWMS@wlu.ca. By Living Waters Ministry School will make reasonable efforts to investigate and address the issue in a timely manner and provide updates where appropriate.
- 13.8 Additional terms and conditions may apply to specific Courses or learning activities. Where applicable, these will be communicated to Participants before registration is completed, and Participants will be given an opportunity to review and accept them.
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13.9 By Living Waters Ministry School provides technical and administrative support to Participants through BLWMS@wlu.ca. Participants may contact By Living Waters Ministry School for assistance with Account access, Course registration, learning materials, or technical difficulties. We will make reasonable efforts to respond to inquiries in a timely manner but do not guarantee a specific response time.
- 14.1 Participants wishing to cancel or withdraw from a Course must contact By Living Waters Ministry School at BLWMS@wlu.ca. The date the request is received will be used to determine eligibility under the following provisions.
- 14.2 A Participant who requests cancellation at least seven (7) calendar days before the published Course start date will be eligible for a full refund of the Course fee paid and any payment collected will be refunded in full to the original payment method as promptly as reasonably practicable.
- 14.3 Cancellation requests received fewer than seven (7) calendar days before the published Course start date, or after the Course has begun, will not ordinarily qualify for a refund. By Living Waters Ministry School may consider requests arising from exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
- 14.4 If By Living Waters Ministry School cancels a Course, affected Participants will be offered a full refund of the Course fee paid or, where available, an alternative arrangement that the Participant may choose to accept. Refunds will be issued to the original payment method as promptly as reasonably practicable.
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14.5 Any additional Course-specific cancellation conditions will be disclosed before registration is completed. Nothing in this section limits any cancellation, refund, or other rights available under applicable consumer protection legislation.
The collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information through the Website and its associated Courses and Services are governed by the By Living Waters Ministry School Privacy Policy, available at
bylivingwaters.learnworlds.com/privacy.
Participants are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy to understand how their personal information is collected, used, stored, and protected in connection with their registration and participation in Courses.
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16.1 By Living Waters Ministry School collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian and Ontario privacy legislation, Martin Luther University College's institutional privacy policies, and the By Living Waters Ministry School Privacy Policy.
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16.2 Personal information collected through the Website may be used for the following purposes:
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16.2.1 Administer Course registrations, provide access to Courses and learning materials, facilitate educational activities, and communicate with participants about their enrolment and participation;
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16.2.2 Process Course payments, issue receipts, administer refunds, and maintain necessary financial records through authorized payment service providers; and
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16.2.3 Share information about upcoming Courses, educational opportunities, events, and developments at By Living Waters Ministry School, where participants have provided the necessary consent or where otherwise permitted by applicable Canadian anti-spam legislation. Participants may unsubscribe from promotional communications at any time.
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16.3 By Living Waters Ministry School may share personal information with authorized third-party service providers, including learning platform providers, payment processors, and technical support services, where necessary to administer Course registrations, process payments, deliver educational services, or maintain the Website. Such disclosures will be limited to information reasonably necessary for these purposes and handled in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and institutional policies.
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16.4 By Living Waters Ministry School will not sell participants' personal information or disclose it to third parties for unrelated purposes without obtaining appropriate consent, except where required or permitted by law. Further information about the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal information is provided in the By Living Waters Ministry School Privacy Policy.
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17.1 By Living Waters Ministry School makes reasonable efforts to ensure that the Website, Courses, and related educational services are accurate, accessible, secure, and suitable for their stated educational purposes. However, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted access, compatibility with all devices or systems, or that the Website will be entirely free from technical errors. Participation in a Course does not guarantee any particular educational, professional, or ministry-related outcome.
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17.2 Information and educational materials provided through the Website and Courses are intended for educational and ministry development purposes. They do not constitute professional, legal, financial, medical, or other regulated advice. Participants are responsible for exercising appropriate judgment when applying Course materials within their own congregational, organizational, or community contexts.
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17.3 Course descriptions and information published on the Website are provided to inform prospective Participants about available learning opportunities. Registration agreements are formed in accordance with Section 13 of these Terms and Conditions.
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17.4 By Living Waters Ministry School takes reasonable measures to maintain the security and functionality of the Website. Participants are encouraged to protect their Account credentials, use secure internet connections, maintain appropriate security measures on their devices, and report suspected security concerns to BLWMS@wlu.ca.
Nothing in this section excludes or limits any rights or protections available to Participants under applicable law.
- 18.1 By Living Waters Ministry School may update the Website, its Content, Courses, and these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in educational offerings, operational requirements, institutional policies, or applicable legislation.
- 18.2 Updated Terms and Conditions will be published on the Website and will generally apply from the date of publication. Participants are encouraged to review these Terms periodically.
- 18.3 Changes to these Terms and Conditions will not retroactively alter the terms of a confirmed Course registration without the Participant’s agreement, except where required or permitted by applicable law. Participants will be notified of material changes affecting their existing registrations.
- 18.4 Nothing in this section limits Participants’ rights under applicable consumer protection legislation.
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19.1 By Living Waters Ministry School makes reasonable efforts to maintain the availability, accessibility, and functionality of the Website and its associated learning platform. However, uninterrupted access cannot be guaranteed, and temporary disruptions may occur due to scheduled maintenance, technical difficulties, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Where a disruption significantly affects a Participant’s ability to access or complete a Course, By Living Waters Ministry School will make reasonable efforts to provide an appropriate resolution, which may include alternative access arrangements, extensions, or other remedies as appropriate.
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19.2 By Living Waters Ministry School is not responsible for disruptions caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including internet service interruptions, third-party platform failures, power outages, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events. We will make reasonable efforts to communicate significant disruptions and restore access where possible. Nothing in this section limits Participants’ rights or remedies under applicable law.
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20.1 By Living Waters Ministry School makes reasonable efforts to ensure that the Website, Courses, and related educational services are accurate, reliable, and appropriate for their intended purposes. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Martin Luther University College and By Living Waters Ministry School are not responsible for indirect or consequential losses arising from the use of the Website or participation in Courses, including losses resulting from circumstances beyond their reasonable control.
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20.2 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for negligence, fraud, wilful misconduct, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted under applicable Canadian or Ontario law.
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20.3 Participants retain all rights and remedies available under applicable consumer protection legislation, including those relating to services that are not provided as agreed, inaccurate or misleading representations, and the cancellation or refund of Course registrations where required by law.
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20.4 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is determined to be unlawful, invalid, or unenforceable, that provision will be considered separate from the remaining Terms and Conditions. The validity and enforceability of all remaining provisions will not be affected.
The failure of By Living Waters Ministry School or a Participant to exercise or enforce any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions does not constitute a waiver of that right or remedy. Any waiver of a particular right or provision will not be considered a waiver of any other right or provision, or of the same right or provision on a future occasion.
These Terms and Conditions supersede any previous versions published by By Living Waters Ministry School. However, Participants who registered for a Course under an earlier version will remain subject to the terms accepted at the time of registration, unless changes are agreed to by the Participant or required by applicable law.
These Terms and Conditions govern the agreement between the Participant and Martin Luther University College, operating By Living Waters Ministry School. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to create contractual rights or obligations for any third party, except where expressly stated or required by applicable law.
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24.1 Participants may contact By Living Waters Ministry School regarding Course registrations, cancellations, technical support, or other inquiries by email at BLWMS@wlu.ca or by mail at:
By Living Waters Ministry School
Martin Luther University College
75 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
Canada
By Living Waters Ministry School may communicate with Participants using the email address provided during registration. Participants are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information and are encouraged to check their email regularly for important Course-related communications.
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24.2 By Living Waters Ministry School may send Participants information about upcoming Courses, educational opportunities, events, and other ministry school developments where consent has been obtained or where otherwise permitted under applicable Canadian anti-spam legislation. Participants may withdraw their consent to receive promotional communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link provided in such emails or by contacting BLWMS@wlu.ca. Unsubscribing from promotional communications will not prevent Participants from receiving necessary administrative messages relating to their Course registrations or Account.
These Terms and Conditions and any agreement arising from the use of the Website or registration for Courses offered by By Living Waters Ministry School shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable federal laws of Canada.
Any disputes arising in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario, except where otherwise required by applicable law.
Nothing in this section limits any rights or remedies available to Participants under applicable consumer protection legislation.
