Twenty-four members of the GFWC/ TFWC Pierian Club were present for the group's first meeting held Jan. 10 in the home of Jane McMillin and Sue Zane Faulkner Jan. 10.

President Ruth Martin presided and welcomed members.

Cherie Leavell gave the invocation, and pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags were led by Bobbie Joseph.

Nina Lee Rasmussen led members in reciting the Club Collect.

Ms. McMillin asked members to prepare a list for the next meeting of their volunteering opportunities since they became Pierians.

Vice president Jane Westerfield reported that she had finished the reports and already had sent them in to the district chairman.

Carol Wright made an announcement that a candidate forum was held Thursday in the Lampasas County Courthouse's District Courtroom.

Juniorette chairman Myrna Bozarth reported the Juniorettes had a fundraising dance Jan. 14 at the high school.

Federation counselor Crystal Hammett announced there are new rules for applying for scholarships, and she reminded members the GFWC Capitol District Spring Convention is March 14 in Lampasas.

The club will co-host the convention with the 36 Club.

Member Mary Black Davis reviewed "The Sisters of Sinai" by Janet Soskice.

The book chronicles Scottish twin sisters' lives and travels. Reared by a father who believed in education and physical activities,Agnes and Margaret Smith were well-educated and could be seen exercising in the outdoors in clothing that was considered inappropriate for young ladies of the 1800s.

By the time their father died when they were in their mid-20s, the girls had traveled to several countries and spoke several languages.

Both married, but both their husbands died at early ages, leaving them widows with a lot of money and the freedom to travel where they wanted to go.

The girls clung to a former teacher who traveled with them, and all went to Cairo, Egypt, where they got permission to use the St. Catherine's Monastery library in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula.

They were intereseted in researching ancient relics such as biblical papers.

Since they spoke many different languages, including the ancient language Syriac, they were welcomed by the monks at the monastery, and the librarian became a special friend. This made it possible for Agnes, in 1892, to discover a copy of the Gospels written in the fourth century at the monastery.

Next club meeting is Feb. 14 at the home of Carole Marwitz. Cohostesses will be June Davis and Susan Browder.

Members will inventory and discuss contributions the club has made to the civic improvement of the community for more than 100 years.

Members also will share their own lists of volunteering opportunities.