The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle concludes its 143rd summer season of enrichment this week with a program that features numerous visiting lecturers. Their talks are open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, take place at 10:45 a.m., and 7:45 p.m., in Warren Chapel. The public is welcome to pick up a schedule of the Monteagle Assembly’s 2025 program at the Assembly Office (tel. 931-924-2286), or to peruse the schedule on the Assembly’s website at <monteaglesundayschoolassembly.org>.

If you find yourself wondering why the Middle East always seems to be at (or on the brink of) war, you’re not alone. Nicholas Roberts, who teaches in the International and Global Studies program at the University of the South, specializes in the Middle East, Islam, and imperialism. In his lecture Tuesday morning, Roberts will draw on his extensive research and experience, including a James D. Kennedy III fellowship from Sewanee and a Fulbright fellowship to conduct research in Israel. His lecture is entitled, “What Makes the Middle East Such a Volatile Region?”

Author Peter Taylor is widely considered to be one of the finest American short story writers. Born in Tennessee, Taylor spent time studying at Southwestern (now known as Rhodes College), Vanderbilt University, and Kenyon College while developing his writing craft. He was friends with the likes of Robert Penn Warren and other significant literary figures of his time. His collection, “The Old Forest and Other Stories,” published in 1985, won the PEN/Faulkner Award. He later won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his novel, “A Summons to Memphis,” which was published in 1986. Taylor’s work was adapted into film by University of Memphis professor emeritus Steven Ross, who will screen that film Thursday evening in the Auditorium. He’ll then talk about Taylor’s work and his own research and filmmaking in a lecture.

While David Neil Drews is a University of Tennessee graduate (twice over) and claims that his blood has run deep orange since attending his first Vols game in 1970, he has spent years researching the legendary 1899 Sewanee football team … leading some to claim there is a tinge of purple to his complexion. He will share his research and writing through a Friday morning lecture and an afternoon reading from his book, “Iron Tigers: A novel inspired by the team that conquered Dixie and launched Southern football.” Drews will have books available for sale and will sign books after both his morning lecture in Warren Chapel and his afternoon reading, taking place at 2:30 pm at the Writers’ Grove (rain location is Warren Chapel). He says his book reflects his passion for sports, American history, and fiction.

Additional events in the next week include the following:

• Wednesday, July 30, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Dewees Berry lectures on “The Art of Fly Fishing.”

• Wednesday, July 30, 2:30 p.m., Shady Dell—Dewees Berry facilitates a fly-fishing workshop, “How to prep a rod for fly fishing.” Advance registration required with office; no fee to participate.

• Thursday, July 31, 10:45 a.m., Harton Hall—Ned Murray and Bill Harper lecture on, “The Camino Pilgrimage: Reflections and stories of personal journeys.”

The Mission of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly is to be a welcoming community of Christian faith where people gather to engage in spiritual growth and renewal, lifelong inquiry and learning, recreational, and cultural enrichment, while being good stewards of our natural resources and our Assembly heritage.