Explore questions found in hymns

John Newling was awarded the first Fulbright Fellowship in Visual Art in 1985

An exhibition in the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral explores the questions which are asked in hymns.

The artist John Newling uses lecterns, each with a rubber stamp and ink pad, and a book containing one page with the question from one hymn stamped upon it.

The display explores the nature of doubt, and the struggle for faith that is expressed in the Church's hymn book.

Called 'Stamping Uncertainty', the event runs from Sunday 8 to Sunday 29 November 2009 - entry is free.

John Newling has concentrated on the surprising number of questions and doubts contained within them.

The exhibition has previously been on show at Canterbury and Carlisle Cathedrals, amongst other places, and it has been specially adapted for the Chapter House at Worcester.

This remarkable installation reveals some of the many questions embedded in our hymns Reverend Canon Dr Georgina Byrne

Great mystery

The Rev Canon Dr Georgina Byrne, Residentiary Canon said: "A living faith is a faith that is unafraid to ask difficult questions.

"From the agonised 'why' in the Psalms of the Old Testament through 'doubting Thomas' in the New Testament, right up to the ethical dilemmas in our own time, Christians have always wrestled with matters of life and faith.

"This remarkable installation reveals some of the many questions embedded in our hymns, and, in doing so, reminds us that, even in the end, the very heart of our faith lies in the great mystery we call God."