Flexible Weekly Worship
Churches may display the full weekly worship video or use only the readings, music, sermon, prayers, or other pieces they need.
7,482
Subscribers
344,400+
Views
9,600+
Watch Hours
953
Published Videos
YouTube stats updated weekly.
Hello Firebird!
We’re so glad you found your way here. Whether you arrive with deep faith, honest questions, spiritual curiosity, or simply a longing for connection, you are warmly welcome in this community of compassionate souls.
Firebird Spirit is a place for reflection, encouragement, thoughtful conversation, and hope—a space where authenticity is honored, diverse voices are embraced, and the sacred can be encountered in both familiar and unexpected ways. As you explore, we hope you experience warmth, inspiration, and the quiet reassurance that you do not journey alone.
About Firebird Spirit
Firebird Spirit is a digital-first spiritual community where the sacred meets the real. We create gathering spaces — online and in the world — where spirituality, justice, creativity, and compassionate connection can flourish across traditional religious borders.
Through weekly gatherings, music, storytelling, study, prayer, and practical resources, we are building a global Community of Hope for people seeking deeper meaning, authentic belonging, and courageous love in a rapidly changing world.
Firebird Spirit began as a nonprofit consulting resource helping churches facing closure, transition, and difficult questions about their future. We've worked alongside congregations exploring new models of community, leadership, and shared space.
As the COVID pandemic accelerated change across spiritual life and human connection, Firebird Spirit expanded into video-based gatherings and online community-building. What began as church consulting evolved into an emerging digital ministry network serving individuals, congregations, and seekers across the globe.
Today, Firebird Spirit continues to support faith communities while also reaching a wider audience of seekers, creatives, skeptics, and spiritually curious people looking for connection, reflection, and hope.
Why are we called Firebird Spirit?
Firebird Spirit draws inspiration from two ancient symbols of transformation, connection, and renewal.
In the Christian story of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appears as tongues of fire resting on ordinary people, empowering them to speak across differences of language, culture, and experience. In that moment, fire becomes a universal translator — not erasing difference, but creating understanding, connection, and shared community.
We also resonate with the timeless image of the phoenix — the firebird that rises from the ashes of what has been, transformed and renewed for what comes next.
Many people today sense that older forms of spiritual life, community, and institutional religion are changing. Some are grieving what has been lost. Others are searching for what comes next.
Firebird Spirit lives in that hopeful space between ending and emergence — honoring what has shaped us while embracing new possibilities for spiritual connection, compassionate community, and human evolution.
We believe this is not the end of spiritual community. It is the next incarnation.
Firebird Spirit Theme Song
Firebird Spirit has always been about more than ideas—it’s also about creativity, imagination, and the power of music to move the
human spirit.
As our vision for this growing Community of Hope took shape, our musical and creative energies naturally found
expression in an original theme song, Together We’ll Fly. Part motivational anthem, part declaration of hope, the song captures the
heart of Firebird Spirit: resilience, courage, connection, and the belief that even in uncertain times, we rise higher when we
journey together.
Alternate Version: Together We’ll Fly (The Other One Edit)
This version offers a different arrangement and interpretation of the song. It hits a little different.
Videos for Our
Community of Hope
Our YouTube channel is the heart of the Firebird Spirit Community of Hope, with weekly community gatherings and other video and audio programs for reflection, encouragement, and spiritual connection.
Worship Supply Kit
A weekly worship resource for churches needing occasional or frequent pulpit supply.
Support for Small Churches
The Worship Supply Kit helps congregations maintain meaningful worship when clergy, lay leaders, or pulpit supply are unavailable.
Resources for All
Firebird Spirit partners with CommunityScape to provide additional resources, connections, and opportunities for churches, non-profits, leaders, and communities navigating change and seeking new possibilities for spiritual life and meaningful community engagement.
Visit our CommunityScape profile to explore additional programs, updates, partnerships, and community groups connected to the ongoing work of Firebird Spirit.
For Churches in Transition
Firebird Spirit offers guidance for congregations in crisis, facing closure, discerning the future of their building, or seeking new ways to continue as a faith community without a traditional space.
We also provide practical resources to help church leaders navigate discernment, transition, mission planning, and faithful next steps for their congregation and community.
Join our Community of Hope Mailing List
Firebird Spirit is a growing global community where spirituality, creativity, justice, and real human connection meet. Through videos, music, reflections, conversations, and shared experiences, we create spaces for thoughtful living, soulful reflection, and compassionate engagement with the world around us.
Joining the mailing list is a simple way to stay connected with new gatherings, creative offerings, community updates, and fresh reflections as Firebird Spirit continues to evolve and grow.
Leadership
Firebird Spirit is guided by leaders with deep experience in ministry, nonprofit leadership, music, communications, finance, operations, and community life. Our Executive Director is a retired PC(USA) Minister of Word and Sacrament, joined by a professional musician in residence and an operations director with decades of experience in nonprofit management, finance, and marketing. Together, they help shape a community grounded in compassion, creativity, practical wisdom, and thoughtful stewardship.
Firebird Spirit is a registered nonprofit organization in the State of New York and operates in accordance with New York State nonprofit and charitable organization laws. We are recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and are listed with the New York State Charities Registry.
In addition to our Board of Directors, Firebird Spirit is supported by an Executive Council and a wider network of advisors, clergy, musicians, volunteers, and community leaders who help provide guidance, accountability, creative insight, and organizational support as the ministry continues to grow and evolve.
Our broader leadership community includes clergy, elders, deacons, musicians, creatives, and experienced professionals from multiple Christian traditions, nonprofit organizations, business settings, and community initiatives. It also includes spiritually grounded leaders who may define themselves outside traditional organized religion but who share Firebird Spirit’s commitment to compassion, creativity, justice, and authentic human connection.
Collectively, they bring decades of experience serving churches, communities, and mission-driven organizations navigating change in a rapidly evolving world.
Leadership Team
The Rev. Deborah Fae Swift
Executive Director
Deb guides Firebird Spirit’s mission with pastoral wisdom, nonprofit experience, and a deep commitment to helping communities navigate change with hope.
ElderAndy Pratt
Musician in Residence
Andy brings creativity, musical leadership, and artistic energy to Firebird Spirit, helping shape the sound, spirit, and emotional heart of our community gatherings.
Kevin Fuller
Director of Operations & Technology
Kevin oversees Firebird Spirit’s operational activities, ensuring smooth functioning and effective resource management.
Elder Karen Thomas
Board President
Karen leads the Board of Directors, providing strategic oversight and guidance for Firebird Spirit’s mission and vision.
The Rev. Dr.Rachel McGuire
Board Vice-President
Rachel provides strategic input and support to the Board of Directors, contributing to Firebird Spirit’s mission and vision.
The Rev. Amy Williams Fowler
Advisory Councilmember
Amy brings decades of pastoral, presbytery, and church leadership experience, with a lifelong commitment to strengthening healthy, sustainable faith communities.
Edward C. Daniel III, Esq.
Advisory Councilmember
Ed brings deep expertise in law, finance, nonprofit governance, and strategic development, helping strengthen Firebird Spirit’s long-term vision and sustainability.
Elder Sonya Kennedy
Advisory Councilmember
Sonya brings a wealth of experience in community organizing and social justice advocacy, helping to drive Firebird Spirit’s mission of creating inclusive and supportive environments.
Jennifer Hasse Morris
Advisory Councilmember
Jennifer helps individuals and teams discover clarity, overcome barriers, and move toward more authentic and meaningful lives.
Elder Barb Sixbey
Advisory Councilmember
Barb brings a wealth of experience in community organizing and social justice advocacy, helping to drive Firebird Spirit’s mission of creating inclusive and supportive environments.
Gathering Voices & Music
Partners
Firebird Spirit is strengthened through collaboration, shared mission, and the generosity of communities who believe in this work.
Support Firebird Spirit
Your giving helps sustain weekly worship videos, the Community of Hope, resources for churches, and the ongoing work of renewal.
Become part of the Sustaining Circle with a monthly gift of $12 and help Firebird Spirit continue building hope, connection, and encouragement for people and congregations everywhere.