MONMOUTH – Medicare will add a voluntary prescription drug benefit, the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit, beginning Jan. 1. The estimated cost for coverage in 2006 is approximately $37 a month. People with limited income and resources may be eligible to receive “Extra Help” in paying for their coverage premiums, deductibles and/or co-payments.

Senior Spectrum, the Central Maine area agency on aging, and the Monmouth Community Health Center, 11 Academy Road, will host a clinic at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 21, to help Medicare beneficiaries complete their help applications.

Anyone who has received an application from the Social Security Administration, has limited income and resources and needs assistance completing the application can attend.

To find out more about Medicare and/or Medicare prescription drug coverage, call Senior Spectrum’s Consumer Helpline at 1-800-639-1553.

Minister to speak

PORTLAND – The 56th annual Holy Convocation, Maine Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ, will be held from Tuesday through Saturday, July 19 to 23, at Williams Temple, Church of God in Christ, 274 Terrace Ave.

The theme is “Strengthen, Lengthen and Breakforth.” The Rev. Albert Jackson of the Auburn Temple Church of God in Christ, Turner Road, will be the speaker at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Bishop Steve Coleman is the jurisdictional prelate.

Distribution day

AUBURN – Auburn AC Serve (SHARE), part of Serve New England’s food and volunteer program, will hold Distribution Day from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 23, at the Auburn Advent Christian Church, Whitney Street entrance. Registrations for August also will be taken. New and former participants in the Serve program are welcome. For more information, call Janet at 784-2164.